Resentment over Syrian Request to Summon Lebanese Officials for Questioning
The issue of Syrian warrants demanding that a number of Lebanese political, judicial and security officials as well as journalists appear in a Damascus court to be questioned over a lawsuit filed by Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed has stirred up unfriendly feelings among Lebanese political circles while judicial authorities kept silent.
The daily An-Nahar on Tuesday said the issue is being dealt at the "highest level" as Syria was considering revoking the warrants.
Lebanese political sources close to Damascus told An-Nahar that these warrants had "no value," adding that Syria will not allow any move to hamper the visit of Prime Minister Saad Hariri to the Syrian capital.
Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar, who refused to comment of the issue, denied his Ministry had received any memorandum or warrant from the Syrian judiciary.
Judicial sources, however, confirmed that the Prosecutor General office had received a memorandum from the Syrian judiciary.
State Prosecutor Saeed Mirza also declined to comment.
"I have no comment and I will not speak about this issue at all," Mirza told pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat.
While An-Nahar pointed that the Lebanese judiciary had received the warrants from the Syrian judiciary under a 1951 agreement signed by Lebanon and Syria, sources at the Lebanese justice ministry criticized the "method of communication" with the Lebanese judiciary.
The issue also drew reaction from the majority March 14 coalition.
"What is Syria”s benefit from hindering Hariri”s visit by targeting advisers and other officials close to him?" one Majority source asked.
Lebanon First bloc member Nuhad Mashnouq said the "least we can say about this is that the timing of the warrants was inappropriate both politically and diplomatically and is not in harmony with the spirit of understanding between Syria and Saudi Arabia."