Washington backs Murr visit to Syria, No deal on Special Tribunal
Speaking to “Al-Kalimat” website on Tuesday, US chargé d’affaires in Beirut William Grant confirmed the US support to Lebanese Defense minister Elias Murr’s visit to Syria scheduled for tomorrow. He pointed out that mutual visits help both Beirut and Damascus raise critical issues such as borders demarcation and arms traffic control.
Grant categorically denied any potential settlement favoring the Special Tribunal regarding the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri. As for Washington’s stance over the neutral bloc, the US official said that an independent bloc is a legitimate and democratic attempt in every country. A minister, he said, has the right not to belong to any of the political groups March 8 or 14 forces.