Sleiman chastises critics of Saudi role in Lebanon
Aoun defends decision to visit Damascus
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman on Monday condemned "any form" of criticism against Saudi Arabia and thanked the kingdom for its support for Lebanon. In remarks after talks with Saudi Ambassador Abdel-Aziz Khoja, Sleiman said: "We are very keen on the consolidation of ties between Arab states."
"We refuse at the same time all attacks against these states and its presidents in line with the laws in force," he said, adding that Riyadh had been a "main supporter of Lebanon in all periods and fields."
Sleiman”s remarks followed comments made by former Minister Wiam Wahhab on Sunday, in which he accused Saudi Arabia of spreading hatred throughout the world.
Also on Monday, the Central News Agency (CNA) quoted diplomatic sources as recommending that Lebanon stay away from the row between Syria and Saudi Arabia.
Ties between Riyadh and Damascus deteriorated after the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri, a citizen and close ally of Saudi Arabia. Many have blamed the killing on Syria, although Damascus has denied responsibility.
The CNA said that reports delivered to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry warned that Lebanon should avoid the repercussions of the Saudi-Syrian crisis, so that it "does not explode on its land."
The sources added that Lebanon had a "big possibility today to avoid becoming an arena for the Saudi-Syrian crisis."
Separately, Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt criticized Lebanese Armed Forces Commander (LAF) Jean Kahwaji”s visit to Syria on Saturday, saying he did not understand the "hurry" to normalize ties with Damascus.
The Hariri killing also strained relations between Beirut and Damascus, although the two states have recently agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations for the first time since their independence.
In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, Jumblatt raised concerns about the thaw. "Syria is not yet committed to a definite agenda on the Shebaa Farms, Palestinian weapons … Fatah al-Islam and demarcation of the borders between the two countries," he said. "Did the Cabinet assign the agenda of General Kahwaji”s visit or did it know about it?" Jumblatt asked.
"I have a problem with this behavior, which heads too swiftly to normalization, forgetting important aspects of diplomatic relations on the way," he added.
In separate comments to Al-Anbaa daily to be published on Tuesday, Jumblatt predicted that more assassinations would occur with the imminent launching of the Special Tribunal to try suspects in Hariri”s killing.
For his part Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun insisted Monday that his own visit to Syria, expected to take place this week, was justified now that the two countries have diplomatic ties.
"I am going to Syria with my head held high," Aoun said. "They are welcoming me with admiration and respect … I was a rival and the rivalry has ended and I may become a friend."
Aoun said he saw no reason not to go to Syria given that Damascus withdrew its troops from Lebanon in 2005 and that diplomatic ties are in place.
"This is a friendly and introductory visit," he said.
He said his Lebanese foes would do well to "clean up their own act rather point fingers."
"In my talks … tomorrow in Syria or yesterday in Iran or any country in the world … the issue was and will be Lebanon, not Michel Aoun," he added.
PSP sources told the CNA on Monday that Aoun”s visit to Syria "contradicts his entire former path, especially that the Syrian regime did not change its policy that was long criticized by Aoun."
Aoun, a former LAF chief, was forced into exile after being defeated by a Syrian offensive in 1990 at the end of Lebanon”s 15-year Civil War.
He returned in May 2005, a month after Damascus ended 29 years of military presence in the aftermath of the assassination of Hariri”s assassination.
A well-informed source in the opposition told the CNA on Monday that there would be no official itinerary for Aoun”s visit, "because itineraries are usually set between heads of states; but this visit is that of a head of a movement that represents a category of the Lebanese to another state."
The source added: "This visit aims to overcome the past in the wake of bad relations between a Lebanese faction and Syria."
Asked whether Aoun had briefed Sleiman about his upcoming visit, the source asked: "Do those who visit the United States and Egypt take the president”s permission?"
The source also said that Aoun would "help the Lebanese government in uncovering the fate of detainees, but would not bring with him any detainees in order not to use the detainees” issue for electoral purposes."
The March 14 Forces said on Monday that any figure wishing to visit Syria should take seek permission from Cabinet.
In a statement, the bloc said: "Any visit by any Lebanese political, military or security official should be made after the Cabinet”s approval of the visit, its agenda and the Syrian officials with whom the meetings will be held."
The statement added that the Cabinet should also be informed of the results of the visit.
March 14 MP Marwan Hamadeh said Monday that visits to Damascus required "clear agendas and results that are not headed toward one direction."
In an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio station, Hamadeh said: "We have comments on the direction of the Syrian-Lebanese relations, as Damascus is presenting the necessary excuses to renounce all what we have agreed on during the dialogue session."
Asked whether Lebanese politicians” visit to Syria were based on personal initiatives or were prepared by the Cabinet, Hamadeh said: "These visits are surely not based on personal initiatives but we see an increasing movement by the secretary general of the Higher Syrian-Lebanese Council, which is now on its way toward dissolution with the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries."
"At the same time," he added, "we see a total renouncement of the international tribunal and a refusal to deliver the documents pertaining to the Shebaa Farms and to free the detainees; and most of all, there are no initiatives in the issue of camps and Palestinian arms outside the camps."
Meanwhile, the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat quoted sources as saying that France was pressing for the exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria. Al-Hayat said the "surprise" move by France toward Lebanon was the result of discussions in Jeddah on Saturday between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz.
Al-Hayat quoted sources as saying that the Lebanon situation was tackled during the Sarkozy-Abdullah talks in light of Syrian President Bashar Assad”s commitment to the French president to respect Lebanon”s stability and sovereignty.
Ministerial sources told An-Nahar newspaper that the coming three weeks would witness the exchange of ambassadors between Lebanon and Syria.
In a separate development, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met Monday with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani in Doha to discuss bilateral relations.
During the meeting, the emir stressed Qatar”s support for Lebanon at all levels. The meeting was also attended by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani and Deputy Premier Abdullah al-Attiyah, who heads Qatar”s ministries of oil and industry.
Siniora is in Doha for the International Conference on Financing for Development, accompanied by ministers Nassib Lahoud, Tammam Salam and Raymond Audi.
Also on Monday, Sleiman held talks with Kahwaji on the eve of the president”s trip to Germany. Sleiman will begin a two-day official visit to Germany on Tuesday, during which he will meet with his German counterpart, President Horst Koehler, Chancellor Angela Merkel and other senior German officials.
The president”s delegation will also include ministers Bahia Hariri, Elias Murr and Mario Aoun.