Timing of Saudi-Syrian Summit to be Decided by Lebanese Cabinet Formation
Although a Saudi-Syrian summit and formation of a national unity cabinet are intertwined, reports said that a condition has been set for Lebanese to agree on a new government before such a meeting takes place.
Arab diplomatic sources have said that the issue of cabinet formation is no longer on the agenda of a Saudi-Syrian summit, adding that the Lebanese should first agree on how to from a national unity government.
As Safir daily on Saturday quoted the sources in Beirut as saying Riyadh informed Premier-designate Saad Hariri that both majority and opposition should agree through dialogue on the formation of the cabinet that guarantees the participation of all parties.
Furthermore, the sources said that there is no turning back on a Saudi decision to enter into dialogue with Syria. They added that the date of king Abdullah”s visit to Damascus will be set as the Lebanese agree on the cabinet formation.
Al-Liwaa newspaper, in its turn, quoted informed diplomatic sources as saying that next week will witness increased Arab contacts amid a link between the Saudi-Syrian summit and the government.
The sources said the formation of the government paves way for holding the summit while at the same time preparations to hold the Riyadh-Damascus talks could influence the situation in Lebanon positively.
Al-Liwaa wondered whether the summit between King Abdullah and Syrian President Bashar Assad would be held before or after the division of seats in the new Lebanese government.