Muallem For Normal Relations With All Lebanese Leaders; Jumblatt Has to Decide What He Wants
Syria”s Foreign Minister Wali al-Muallem said his country wants stability in Lebanon and supports the holding of the June 7 legislative elections on time, adding that Damascus is ready to hold normal relations with all Lebanese leaders including al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri saying: "We have a big heart, we forgive."
In an interview with the pan-Arab satellite TV station al-Jazeera on Saturday, al-Muallem referred to his country”s relationship with the head of the Progressive Socialist Party and Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblat saying: "Jumblat has to decide what he wants, if he wishes to visit Syria we shall take that under consideration."
He said that he had discussed Lebanon with visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, adding that they both agreed that Syrian-Lebanese relations could not be changed due to geographic and historic facts.
However, he added that the United States has to abandon all of its previous practices saying: "The world faced difficult problems on all levels during the George Bush administration."
Regarding the expected new Israeli cabinet, Muallem was clear in saying: "We do not deal with the formation of Israeli cabinets, we have no illusions for we have dealt with all forms of Israeli cabinets. I am not upset from a Benjamin Netanyahu premiership. It is best for the world to deal with an Israeli cabinet that reflects an Israeli fact rather than deal with a cabinet that wears the mask of peace."
He reiterated his country”s willingness to resuming indirect peace negotiations with the Netanyahu government provided that this does not provide the Israelis with an excuse to launch another attack on Gaza or Lebanon. He affirmed that peace with Israel couldn”t be comprehensive unless it includes Syrian, Lebanese territories and the right of return to Palestinians.
Muallem said that Damascus supports the Arab peace initiative adding that for this initiative to work Israel has to accept it and work on implementing it.
Regarding the Syrian-Saudi reconciliation Muallem said that this would have positive ramifications on the region.