U.S. Demands Syria Establishes Normal Ties with Lebanon
Washington has notified Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad of the outlines of its regional policy, which includes establishment of normal relations with Lebanon, border control with Iraq as well as facilitate a U.S. withdrawal in a timely manner and help push forward Palestinian reconciliation.
Pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat, which carried the report, quoted a senior State Department official as saying that Lebanese-Syrian border demarcation also constitutes an "important step toward implementation of Resolution 1701."
Miqdad, for his part, stressed Syria”s refusal to interfere in Lebanese internal affairs "whether it had to do with elections and government formation."
"Syria is also eager to see that the Lebanese are able to form their government soon," Miqdad reportedly said.
A senior Syrian official, meanwhile, denied in remarks published by the daily al-Akhbar on Friday what he described as "false and fabricated allegations" carried by certain news outlets that the U.S. has summoned Syrian ambassador to Washington Imad Mustafa over obstacles put by Damascus to Lebanese cabinet formation.