Tension escalates again between Damascus and Beirut
Syrian roadblocks on Lebanese territory, arrest warrants issued by Damascus against Beirut politicians, continued postponements of a meeting between the President Bachar al-Assad and the Lebanese premier Fouad Siniora all these factors escalate tension between the two countries.
Beirut (AsiaNews) Tension is on the rise again between Syria and Lebanon, while the UN prepares to examine a report on execution of Resolution 1559, in which the USA and France should present a plan that further hardens international feelings towards Damascus. Syrian roadblocks in Lebanese territory, arrest warrants issued by Damascus against politicians in Beirut, continued postponements of the meeting between President Bachar al-Assad and the Lebanese premier Fouad Siniora these are all factors contributing to tension in links between the two countries.
Officially prompted by the struggle against smuggling, Syrian roadblocks in Lebanon are making trade between the two countries and towards other Arab countries, like Iraq, very difficult, if not downright preventing it. In the face of declared anticipation by the Lebanese prime minister Fouad Siniora to meet Assad, the secretary of the Higher Council of Lebanese-Syrian Coordination, Nasri Khoury, said the meeting was being prepared "with caution, prudence and profound study, without any haste on the Syrian part." Then there is the court summons of three Lebanese leaders, with a seven-day ultimatum, by the highest Syrian tribunal: Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, the minister Marwan Hamade and the journalist Fares Khachan. And there are persistent attacks of the Syrian press against the policies of the Lebanese government and the prime minister Fouad Siniora, held to be "responsible for the deterioration in ties between the two neighbouring countries and a mercenary of the American market." The press, strictly controlled, indicates "the path of sincere dialogue as the only way of making Lebanon come out of its current crisis", but it also talks about the "risk facing Lebanon if its pursues this mistaken policy".
The Maronite bishops also tackled ties between Syria and Lebanon in a statement published at the end of their monthly meeting, held yesterday, under the chairmanship of the patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir. The bishops called on the international community to find a "just and lasting" solution to the Palestinian problem, and expressed hope for the resumption of ties between Lebanon and Syria, that should be based on "mutual respect and the sovereignty and independence of both countries". The statement criticized the latest measures taken by the Syrian army on the Lebanese borders, a means of pressure that "should not be implemented in this manner and that could be the cause of new tension that could lead to further deterioration of ties."
As for Lebanon's domestic situation, the bishops launched a fresh appeal to all leaders to respect Lebanon's noble tradition and to resume the path of dialogue, started on 2 March last.
The statement emphasises the urgency of finding a solution to all social crises, owing to the gravity of the economic situation, calling on the government to draw up a "project able to help the Lebanese people to emerge from the crisis and to tackle the many challenges facing Lebanon". The bishops also exhorted leaders to respect the "social tissue of the country, to involve all Lebanese in the reconstruction process" and they expressed hope of "respect of rights of all religious communities in Lebanon in a harmonious and just way."
The Maronite bishops also implored for the intercession of Our Lady of Lebanon in this month of May, urging all Lebanese to look to this mother, "the only protector of Lebanon, of its history and its religious communities."
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25/07/2005
