Saudi FM Rejects Muallem”s Internationalization Charge
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal has snapped back at his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem who had said that a meeting held in Kuwait risked internationalizing the Lebanese crisis.
“I don”t understand how a meeting on Lebanon is an internationalization of the cause, as the issue (is being debated) at the United Nations,” Saud on Wednesday told a joint news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
The Saudi foreign minister also called for a “positive stance” towards the meeting, which was orchestrated by France, and held on the sidelines of a conference on Iraq Tuesday.
The meeting in Kuwait was attended by representatives of Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, as well as the United Nations, the Arab League and the European Union.
Saud stressed the need to help Lebanon become stable and said “all those who attended (the meeting) backed the Arab initiative without exception.”
The Western and Arab states called on Tuesday for the immediate election of Army Chief Gen. Michel Suleiman president and the “redefining” of Beirut”s relations with Damascus.
But Muallem, whose country has been blamed for the deadlock in Beirut, said the meeting might result in internationalizing the crisis in Lebanon.
“We fear that given the way in which the meeting is being held, it is aimed at taking the Lebanese crisis out of the hands of the Arab League Secretary General (with the aim of) internationalization,” he told a news conference.
Prince Saud on Wednesday said he discussed the Lebanese crisis with Miliband.
He stressed “the importance of safeguarding Lebanon”s constitutional institutions, (including) the presidency, the seat of the prime minister, parliament and the Lebanese army as a guarantee to Lebanon”s security and stability.”
Saud also urged the immediate election of Suleiman president, the formation of a national unity government and called on bickering parties to review parliamentary election laws as stipulated by the three-point Arab plan.