Beirut |
July 22, 2007
Syria Says France Must Recognize its Interests in Lebanon, March 14 Demands Definition of Interests
Beirut - July 21, 2007
Officials in Damascus had informed French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran, during his last visit, of Syria's stance demanding France's "clear recognition of Syria's influence and interests in Lebanon."
The Syrian officials, according to a Paris datelined report published by the daily As Safir on Saturday, stressed on what they described as the "natural and distinguished relations linking Lebanon with Syria."
They said Damascus did not respond to Cousseran's quest to get clear answers on the need to hold timely presidential elections to prevent Lebanon from sinking into constitutional and institutional chaos.
They said Cousseran did not make "direct" French requests from Damascus since the Syrian-French talks were still at the beginning.
Damascus, in turn, refused to offer Cousseran any commitments and was very cautious in dealing with French questions regarding its position from the upcoming presidential elections.
According to As Safir, French sources revealed that the Syrians had informed Cousseran that what is threatening Lebanon and its stability at this time was the spread of al-Qaida across Lebanese territories.
A prominent March 14 official in Beirut assured that "everyone acknowledges Syria's capabilities of maintaining its influence in Lebanon," adding that the problem lies with the "nature and type" of this influence.
He said Syria's influence did not need French recognition since the Lebanese unanimously agree on that matter, witness the spate of assassinations and bombings perpetrated by the Syrian regime as will be evidenced by the International investigations.
The March 14 official wondered what was meant by "Syria's interests:"
"Are they assurances to ward off a Lebanon aggression on Syria, or to prevent Lebanese territory from being used as a launching pad for sabotage or hostile operations against it?" he asked.
"If this is the case, then Lebanon would be the one to guarantee these interests," he added.
"But if the Syrian interests suggest giving up power to the Syrian allies in Lebanon and regain the upper hand in Lebanon's political and economic cycles, then this is a debatable issue," the March 14 official concluded. "It is the right of the Lebanese to preserve their own interests before the interests of others are looked after."
Officials in Damascus had informed French envoy Jean-Claude Cousseran, during his last visit, of Syria's stance demanding France's "clear recognition of Syria's influence and interests in Lebanon."
The Syrian officials, according to a Paris datelined report published by the daily As Safir on Saturday, stressed on what they described as the "natural and distinguished relations linking Lebanon with Syria."
They said Damascus did not respond to Cousseran's quest to get clear answers on the need to hold timely presidential elections to prevent Lebanon from sinking into constitutional and institutional chaos.
They said Cousseran did not make "direct" French requests from Damascus since the Syrian-French talks were still at the beginning.
Damascus, in turn, refused to offer Cousseran any commitments and was very cautious in dealing with French questions regarding its position from the upcoming presidential elections.
According to As Safir, French sources revealed that the Syrians had informed Cousseran that what is threatening Lebanon and its stability at this time was the spread of al-Qaida across Lebanese territories.
A prominent March 14 official in Beirut assured that "everyone acknowledges Syria's capabilities of maintaining its influence in Lebanon," adding that the problem lies with the "nature and type" of this influence.
He said Syria's influence did not need French recognition since the Lebanese unanimously agree on that matter, witness the spate of assassinations and bombings perpetrated by the Syrian regime as will be evidenced by the International investigations.
The March 14 official wondered what was meant by "Syria's interests:"
"Are they assurances to ward off a Lebanon aggression on Syria, or to prevent Lebanese territory from being used as a launching pad for sabotage or hostile operations against it?" he asked.
"If this is the case, then Lebanon would be the one to guarantee these interests," he added.
"But if the Syrian interests suggest giving up power to the Syrian allies in Lebanon and regain the upper hand in Lebanon's political and economic cycles, then this is a debatable issue," the March 14 official concluded. "It is the right of the Lebanese to preserve their own interests before the interests of others are looked after."
