Report: Jordan mediates between Israel and Lebanese opposition

The Jordanian daily al-Hadath said that Jordan has responded to an Israeli request made jointly by Yusi Belin and Ariel Sharon to mediate with Lebanese sides to convince them to accept Jordan's mediation as a broker between the Israeli and Lebanese governments to discuss the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Lebanese territories.

The paper added that information has been leaked on official contacts Jordan made with Lebanese governmental representatives for this purpose, which were met with Syrian rejection. The paper added that the Jordanian government then contacted Lebanese opposition in Paris after its failure to maintain any contacts with the Lebanese government.

The paper added that a visit of former Lebanese President Amin al-Jmeyyel to Jordan, fell in the context of Jordan's peace efforts. However, the visit was not highlighted by Jordanian media despite the fact that Jmeyyal met with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan and Prime Minister Abdul Salam al-Majali.

The paper said that Jordan has not highlighted the meetings with Jmeyyal because of fears of upsetting the Syrian leadership, a matter which Jmeyyal himself did not commit himself to as he released a statement through his office in Beirut in which he talked about his high-ranking meetings in Jordan.