Mubarak for united Syrian - Lebanese stances

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak underlined the importance of continued cooperation between Syria and Lebanon as a counter to Israel.

Interviewed by the Lebanese Journalist Union's chairman, Mulhim Karam, with excerpts published Wednesday in the Lebanese daily al-Diyar, President Mubarak stressed the need for cohesion between the Syrian and Lebanese tracks in peace negotiations. He warned against being trapped by "Lebanon First," the proposal advocated by Israel to create a split between Lebanon and Syria.

"When the Israelis told me about that proposal, I said, 'It sounds as if you want to make a crack between Syria and Lebanon. You [the Israelis] give me evidence you respect signed accords and Syria and Lebanon will proceed together in the solution to guarantee stability in the region,'" President Mubarak said.

He called upon the Lebanese to exert more efforts in order to restore the key role played by Lebanon in the Arab arena. Mubarak also stated that the Islamic Summit was a success.