Al-Faisal Urges Syria to Convince its Allies of the Arab Initiative

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal on Monday urged Syria to convince its Lebanon allies to accept the Arab initiative aimed at settling the presidential crisis.

 

Al-Faisal, talking to reporters in Riyadh, also expressed the belief that success of the Arab initiative is “still possible.”

 

“Syria is required to convince those who listen to its word in Lebanon of the solution that it had endorsed.”

 

He said “hope persists” that the various factions in Lebanon would approve implementation of the Arab initiative.

 

Al-Faisal also expressed hope that Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, who returns to Beirut on Wednesday, would succeed in achieving a “consensus settlement to elect (Army Commander Gen.) Michel Suleiman President.

 

“Syria should invest its influence in Lebanon to convince those who listen to its word of the solution adopted by the Arab League.”

 

He explained that the word “influence” had been used by Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Sharaa while stating that “Syria has the greatest influence over the domestic situation in Lebanon.”

 

“Syria is required to invest this influence in the interest of Lebanon”s independence and sovereignty.”

 

Al-Faisal described the Arab initiative as a “just solution in light of which a president can be elected with semi-

unanimity.”