Damascus Declaration Will Not Be Used to Push Cabinet Formation; Lebanese-Syrian Ties Are Enjoying “Mutual Trust”
President Michel Suleiman said Monday Lebanese-Syrian ties were witnessing a phase of "mutual trust" bolstered by the implementation of a joint declaration issued during a 2008 presidential summit in Damascus.
"The two countries” higher interest is what sponsors the execution of the declaration”s provisions without employing them to push the formation of a new government," Suleiman told visiting diplomatic delegations.
In August 2008, Suleiman and Syrian President Bashar Assad agreed during the summit to establish diplomatic relations for the first time since their independence.
On the peace process, Suleiman said any Arab or international efforts to achieve peace "must start off from an agreement with Syria."
He also pointed that a final solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict also depended on "consolidating Arab solidarity… and the broadening of (inter-Arab) reconciliations to confront the challenges and the pressures the region is reeling under."
Suleiman also slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu”s "repeated threats against Lebanon, its government, legitimate establishments and infrastructure at a time when the international community was trying to find a just and comprehensive solution to the Middle East cause."
He accused Netanyahu of "working to destabilize (Lebanon) through planting espionage networks and carrying out space and sea violations, especially as the summer season kicks off."
"Lebanon renews its rejection and condemnation of such flagrant interference in its affairs which contradicts the requirements of Resolution 1701.
"Lebanon draws the attention of the international community and Security Council to the danger of such threats and their negative repercussions on the general stability in the region," Suleiman said.