Football fight between Lebanon and Syria out of proportion - says minister

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri warned against blowing an incident at the Arab Games out of proportion, adding that such events occur in sports, especially at football matches.

In the semifinal between Lebanon and Syria, a fight broke out among fans of both teams, and more than 2,000 seats were destroyed and used as missiles, forcing the Lebanese army to intervene. Similar damage was caused at the final between Syria and Jordan.

Berri said, "Even within the same house, brothers often fight and compete."

Berri said the clashes between Lebanese and Syrian fans should not be blown out of proportion as they were "no more than disputes among members of the same household.

" He added, "It is shameful to misinterpret these incidents and I suggest that a delegation representing Lebanese athletes pay a visit to their fellow athletes in Syria or the Syrian medal winners should be invited to Lebanon to meet with Lebanese medal-holders, because such incidents should not be allowed to undermine the good relations that bind the two countries together."

Berri said, "If it were not for the heroism of the Lebanese people and the support Syria provides to Lebanon, we would now be under Israeli rule."