'Lebanon at the summit means a 'certificate of innocence for Syria'

by **Admin** Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:34 am

Lebanon's MP Ammar Houri declared Tuesday that "Lebanon's participation in the Arab summit in Damascus is like offering the Syrian regime a "certificate of innocence "

He said that " he is personally against participation as long as the presidency in Lebanon remains vacant , in order for all the Arab countries to realize the magnitude of the problem we are living in Lebanon as a result of the absence of the President who is the only Christian symbol of pluralism in the whole Arab world."

During an interview with "Lebanon today TV program he stressed" : "We the majority in Lebanon want to apply and protect the Taif accord, which guaranteed democracy in Lebanon ever since it was implemented . We do not want another Taif because we do not want a civil war . Theose in the opposition who want another Taif are seeking to change the regime in Lebanon."

He added: There is no such thing as other initiatives in Lebanon, such as the Arab MPs initiative or the Omani and Qatari initiative ... these are rumors that the Syrian regime is spreading to preserve the Damascus summit.

There is only one initiative and this is the Arab initiative which was spearheaded by Arab League chief Amr Moussa and I wish the Lebanese MPs will head to the parliament on March 25 to elect the president of the Republic as stipulated in the Arab plan". He continued : "Nothing can be resolved as long as Syria does not recognize Lebanon as an independent , sovereign and free state. He added " I wish Syria will separate the International Tribunal from its relationship with Lebanon"

Asked about Speaker Nabih Berri's declaration that the scheduled election day is getting too close without any hope of electing the president he said " I do not envy Speaker Berri for his position, since the decision is not is his hands .The decision is made outside the Lebanese borders". In reference to Syria and Iran.

Houri decried General Michel statements that neither Syria nor Iran are involved in the decision making for the opposition. He said "why did the pro-Syrian ministers resign from the cabinet just before the discussions over the International Tribunal ? " The partnership that Aoun and his Hezbollah-led allies are calling for is to veto the International Tribunal . This is what the Syrian regime wants . The Syrian regime after all told everyone that it refuses to go to the International court as if it is telling the world it is involved in the Lebanese murders. Aoun he said is acting like a tenth grader when he tries to make such statements "

Horuri reconfirmed that "Gen. Michel Suleiman is the only presidential candidate of the majority .

Yesterday Lebanese forces leader Samir Geagea echoed the same sentiment when he said: "Our position is that Lebanon should not go to the summit. The Syrians do not recognize Lebanon , do not have diplomatic relations with us, do not want to demarcate the border and have occupied the country for 30 years. During the last 3 years there were clear and explicit accusations that they are behind the assassination of former PM Rafik Hariri and all the assassinations that took place in Lebanon. Considering the above situation how could we attend the Arab summit in Damascus?