Syrian, Lebanese presidents reviewed latest developments

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Monday received in Lattakia Lebanese President Elias Hrawi, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. Also present at the meeting were Syrian Vice-President Abdul Halim Khaddam and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa.

The two presidents discussed the situation in the region and the future of the peace process. Also discussed were the Israeli maneuver which is based on an conditional proposal to implement UN resolution 425, the dangers caused by conditions proclaimed by the Israeli Cabinet on withdrawal from Lebanon and the Middle East peace process as a whole.

The Lebanese officials believe the Israeli conditions to implement 425 would void the contents of the said resolution and aim at sabotaging the peace process. They said Lebanon has rejected these conditions and refused to offer any guarantees or security arrangements to Israel, as security cannot be guaranteed except through a just and comprehensive peace.

The two sides called upon the US to shoulder the responsibility as a peace process co-sponsor to help the realization of Middle East peace on the grounds of the peace process's terms of reference. They stressed readiness to resume talks on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks from the point at which they broke off.

Following full discussions of the recent events on the internal level in regards to disputes between Hariri, Hrawi, and Berri, it was agreed that stress should be placed on all efforts that would consolidate the Lebanese peace march and support the resolve of the Lebanese people. The Lebanese leaders extended thanks to President al-Assad for his efforts to strengthen Lebanon's internal unity.