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Syria, Iran Discuss Lebanon
Alalam News
Network, Iran, January 5, 2008
DAMASCUS, Jan
5--Representative of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Larijani,
and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem have discussed
latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
The two
officials also talked on Friday about the settlement process
in Palestine and the Arab foreign ministers' meeting due to
be held in Cairo on Sunday.
Larijani, who
represents Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali
Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council, arrived
in Damascus on Thursday for a meeting with senior Syrian
officials.
Larijani
expressed "Iran's support for Syrian efforts to reach a
compromise" in Lebanon that would allow the election of a
new president there.
"The key to a
solution in Lebanon lies in the hands of Lebanese parties,"
added the adviser to the leader.
Regarding
Syria's stance on Lebanon, Walid Muallem said, "This
country' problems should be solved through negotiation among
the internal groups without any foreign interference."
Lebanon has
been without a president since the mandate of Emile Lahoud
expired on November 23 amid sharp divisions between the
ruling majority and the opposition.
On December 28,
a parliamentary session called to elect a president was
postponed until January 12 -- the 11th postponement of a
vote since September.
During his
four-day visit, Larijani will meet Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad and Vice-President Faruq al-Shara.
Larijani
travelled to Syria on the second leg of his tour from Egypt
where he met with Egyptian cultural and religious
personalities, including Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit. |
