UK: “Lebanon”s friends” see eye to eye on crisis

British Foreign Minister David Miliband said that the international meeting held on the sidelines of the conference of Iraq”s neighboring states in Kuwait on Tuesday was a very important meeting for Lebanon”s friends, as it “reflected similar points of view regarding Lebanon,” according to remarks published in the Ash-Sharq al-Awsat daily on Wednesday.

 

The meeting included representatives from the US, France, Kuwait, the United Arab, Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Britain, Italy and Germany. “The meeting called on Syria to recognize the Lebanese borders,” Miliband said. “There is a clear Lebanese consensus and an Arab initiative supporting the presidential candidate. Yet his candidacy is facing several obstacles,” he added.

 

Miliband called on Lebanon”s friends to support it by financially backing the Special Tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri. He also said there was no lack of communication with Syria but only a lack of cooperation. When asked if Syria”s presence at the meeting would have been positive, Miliband said the meeting was held among Lebanon”s friends. Commenting on Iran”s role in Lebanon, Miliband said that Tehran could either cooperate on the regional level, or it would further isolate itself.