Nassib Lahoud blames Syria for crisis

by **Admin** Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:47 am

Former MP Nassib Lahoud blamed Syria on Wednesday for the 15-month-old political impasse in Lebanon. "I don't think the Arab summit in Damascus will be successful or will generate positive results, whether for the hosting state or for common Arab causes, no matter what the level of participation is," he said following a weekly meeting of his Democratic Renewal Movement. Lahoud added that only Syria was capable of reversing the negative situation in Lebanon.

He also said that the March 14 Forces memorandum released last week was "a good base upon which a new common vision for the future of Lebanon and a proper platform to revive a serious dialogue are built."

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Michel Pharaon said Wednesday that Syria's invitation to Lebanon to attend the Arab League summit was not in conformity with diplomatic protocol, as it was sent while Prime Minister Fouad Siniora was out of the country attending the Organization of the Islamic Conference summit in Dakar, Senegal.

He also said that it is still possible for a president to be elected and for a solution to the present crisis to be reached before the summit in Damascus is held at the end of the month. "There is a presidential-election session ahead of the summit, and certain steps could pave the way to a decision," Pharaon told Kuwait's Al-Anbaa newspaper.