Lebanese minister refutes Israeli premier's statements on withdrawal

Lebanese information Minister Basem al-Sabaa said on Friday that Syria and Lebanon are defending a common right to liberate their occupied territories in southern Lebanon, the western Bekaa and the Golan.

In a statement he made on Friday commenting on claims made by Israeli Premier Netanyahu on Lebanon and UN resolution 425 [that calls for unconditional Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon], the Lebanese minister said Israel will not be able to change history and geography or create hostilities between Syria and Lebanon. Al-Sabaa stated that Netanyahu wants to use Lebanon to put pressure on Syria.

Netanyahu said that Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon before obtaining security arrangements, a matter which violates the recently-promoted claims of Tel Aviv's readiness to carry out UN resolution 425.

Al-Sabaa said Israel wants to snatch from Lebanon its right to struggle to liberate its lands, noting that Israel always fears a genuine and just peace in the region.