Kouchner Warns of Dangers of Delay in Appointing Syrian Ambassador to Beirut
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed regret that Syria didn”t send an ambassador to Beirut yet, saying the head of mission should have been appointed last week.
"We didn”t understand why there was a delay," Kouchner told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published Friday. The ambassador "should have been appointed last week."
"Many things have been achieved, including the establishment of diplomatic relations which is a recognition of Lebanon … But it”s a pity that Damascus did not yet send its ambassador," he said.
"If the delay was for one month or two, then the issue is not important. But if (the delay) means a review of what has been achieved, then this is a different issue and it would be very dangerous," Kouchner warned.
The foreign minister also reiterated his country”s support to the international tribunal that will try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri”s suspected assassins.
He revealed that French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made it clear to his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad that there was "no compromise" on the court.
"We believe that everyone should help the tribunal and cooperate with it. France”s initial stance is to support international justice away from political pressure," Kouchner told his interviewer.
Asked if France would send observers to monitor the June 7 parliamentary elections, the foreign minister said: "We are ready to do that. But I think this should be done as part of the European Union. We are waiting for Lebanon to make an official proposal in this regard."