Khaddam: The coming phase is more difficult

Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam has asserted "the importance of work on backing the unity of the two tracks between Lebanon and Syria, because we are coming to a period of peace talks with Israel, a stage that will be more difficult than previous stages."

Lebanese Parliament member Hussein Yateim quoted Khaddam as saying that the Lebanese people are called on now more than at any time before to "immunize their internal front and to get rid of trivial things for the sake of backing the Lebanese and Syrian positions."

Parliament member Beshara Murhij and the coordinator general of the people's leagues and committees, Maan Bashour, met with Khaddam in Damascus and discussed with him current conditions. Murhij and Bashour also visited the commander of the Syrian forces working in Lebanon, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim al-Sadi.

Murhij is a member of the parliamentary bloc presided over by former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri.