Europe' Moratinos: Withdrawal to be from Syria and Lebanon

The European Union's Middle East peace process special envoy, Miguel Moratinos on Wednesday held talks in Jerusalem with the Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai dealing with the Israeli proposal to withdraw from south Lebanon. A spokesman for the Spanish diplomat said Moratinos has also met with the coordinator of the Israeli activities in Lebanon, Ori Lobrani, and one of Netanyahu's Aides, Uzi Arad.

In a statement to Monte Carlo radio, Moratinos said, "To be successful and ultimate withdrawal should be in parallel for the Syrian and Lebanese tracks alike." He added, "Talks should deal with security matters for withdrawal from south Lebanon and the Syrian borders and at the same time the Syrian-Lebanese security arrangements."

He urged sides concerned "to commit themselves to security issues, to definite and comprehensive peace negotiations between Lebanon and Israel and Syria and Israel simultaneously," adding that this is the best way to reach a peaceful settlements of standing disputes in the region.

Meanwhile, Israeli radio said that Mordechai stressed to Moratinos that, "There are no Israeli regional ambitions in south Lebanon." He called upon Syria and Lebanon "to test the seriousness of our intentions" about implementing UN resolutions and reaching security arrangements.