Saudi Arabia, Syria for Lebanese Stability and Unity Cabinet Despite Difference in Words
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has said both Damascus and Riyadh want stability in Lebanon and formation of a national unity cabinet as a basis for stability.
"The objective of Syria and Saudi Arabia is stability in Lebanon. Both of us see that formation of a government of national unity leads to the pursued stability," Muallem told As Safir daily in remarks published Friday.
Asked about the discrepancy between the Saudi and Syrian communiqués on the results of the meeting between King Abdullah and President Bashar Assad, Muallem said: "Each side released its own statement quickly. If you look closely, you find that the context of the two texts is similar on Lebanon, Iraq or Palestine even if words differ."
"We support agreement reached in Lebanon on the (formation of) a government based on the 15-10-5" formula, the minister said.
"However, none of us will form Lebanon”s cabinet. On the contrary, the Lebanese will form it … the ball is now in (the court of) Lebanese," Muallem added.
He told As Safir that Abdullah”s visit to Damascus "was successful" and agreement was reached on all topics discussed mainly Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and other Arab issues.
Saudi Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja also stressed that the issue of government formation is for the Lebanese to solve. Hizbullah”s al-Manar TV on Thursday quoted him as saying that the Abdullah-Assad summit didn”t deal with the Lebanese issue in detail.