Mubarak receives Jumblat

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Sunday May 7th received Walid Jumblat, leader of the Socialist Progressive Party and the member of the Lebanese parliament.

Following the meeting, Jumblat said he briefed President Mubarak on developments in Lebanon especially the progress of Lebanese national dialogue, which unanimously agreed that there should be no Palestinian arms outside the Palestinians camps in Lebanon and that Shabaa Farms should be demarcated.

Talks also touched on the progress of the investigation into the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri.

He said President Mubarak expressed hope of restoring normal relations between Syria and Lebanon. Mubarak believes that the return of relations should be encouraged by both the Syrians and the Lebanese, Jumblat said.

He said Syria expressed willingness to demarcate the frontiers of Shabaa, adding "we are waiting for Syria's consent to receive Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to have dialogue translated into action."

He denied that the Lebanese national dialogue was deadlocked adding that a number of points were unanimously agreed on. Jumblat said Lebanon would take the necessary measures for keeping normal relations between Lebanon and Syria.

The meeting comes amid an atmosphere of great tension in Lebanese -Syria relations, and in particular, in relations of Syria with Junblat (see references).