Syria Key to Solving Problems, Local-External Factors Hampered Cabinet Formation
French Ambassador Andre Parant has said that Syria is a key to resolving may problems in the region, including Lebanon, adding that local-external factors are hindering the government formation process.
Parent said in an interview with three Beirut dailies that France is keen on honoring its commitments to Lebanon, despite French President Nicolas Sarkozy”s decision to maintain dialogue with Syria, which he described as a "key to solving a lot of problems in the region, particularly Lebanon."
"I don”t want to blame anyone. But, it is difficult for external (powers) to understand why there hasn”t been agreement on the lineup that has respected the agreed-upon principles," he told An Nahar, As Safir and L”Orient le Jour.
He said that the cabinet lineup presented by MP Saad Hariri met the demands of all parties, adding that "it was almost a solid basis for dialogue."
The ambassador believed that delay in cabinet formation resulted from a "mix of domestic and regional factors," adding some demands were difficult to be accepted by the other side.
He hoped the cabinet crisis would be resolved without foreign meddling.