Hariri”s Damascus Visit Not Yet Known, Delay Tied to Syrian Warrants
Preparations were underway for Prime Minister Saad Hariri”s visit to Syria, but the date of the trip is still unknown.
An-Nahar daily, however, said the visit is likely to take place on Monday although several media sources believed that the issue of Syrian warrants against Lebanese officials in Jamil Sayyed”s case has created what they described as a "sudden barrier" for Hariri”s trip.
Among these sources was LBC TV which reported Thursday evening that Hariri has sent an indirect message to Damascus via Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh associating his visit with revoking of all Syrian warrants.
It said Lebanese parties in touch with Damascus informed Hariri that the warrants are likely to be withdrawn in conjunction with the visit.
Well- informed sources, however, ruled out the possibility that Hariri has demanded that the warrants be canceled.
At the same time, they believed the measure was a "discouraging signal" for the improvement of Syrian-Lebanese relations.
An-Nahar said Hariri, who will head the Lebanese delegation to the Copenhagen Conference on Tuesday, is likely to visit Saudi Arabia over the weekend ahead of his Damascus trip.