Syrian Attempt to Block Lebanon Backing Thwarted at Dakar Summit

by **Admin** Fri Mar 14, 2008 2:22 am

The Lebanese delegation has thwarted an attempt by Syria to change a clause in the final statement of the Islamic summit in Dakar which backs the immediate election of a president.

The Syrian delegation headed by Assistant Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad on Wednesday faced objection by other delegations after it asked for an amendment in the text of the statement that will be issued at the end of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit in the Senegalese capital.

Lebanese media said Thursday that the Syrian move delayed for one and a half hours evening sessions held ahead of the March 13-14 summit, but conferees adopted the version suggested by Yemen and okayed by Lebanon.

Miqdad, however, accused Premier Fouad Saniora of introducing changes that contravene the Arab initiative, which is a sign that all sides that have adopted the Arab plan are trying "to torpedo it by all available means."

The clause stresses the need for "backing of the Arab League initiative to solve the Lebanese crisis" and urges Lebanese politicians "to elect the consensus presidential candidate" during the next scheduled parliamentary session.

The clause also urges "agreement on the basis of the formation of a national unity government as soon as possible" to prevent disunity among Lebanese and "to guarantee that Lebanon is on the path of unity, security and stability."

Meanwhile, Saniora, who arrived in Dakar on Wednesday along with acting Foreign Minister Tareq Mitri and other officials, held talks on the sidelines of the summit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and Senegal's Foreign Minister Cheikh Tidiane Gadio.

He also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region with Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi who was optimistic about an end to the country's political crisis.

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon also informed Saniora of the world body's latest moves to set up the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Saniora is to address the two-day summit outlining Lebanon's ongoing presidential crisis.