Rizq: Lebanon's Boycott of Damascus Summit Puts Arab League at Crossroads

by **Admin** Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:24 pm

Justice Minister Charles Rizq said Saturday Lebanon would "most probably" boycott the forthcoming Arab Summit at the Syrian capital of Damascus.

Rizq, in an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio, also said such a boycott, if adopted, would put the Arab League at a crossroads.

"Lebanon represents the true spirit of Arabism … losing the Lebanese factor strips the Arab League of its spirit," Rizq added.

He said that differences between Saudi Arabia and Syria are "deeper than what we can observe in Lebanon. It is difficult to settle this dispute hastily."

Iran, according to Rizq, is emerging as "an effective force in the region and this raises concerns in Saudi Arabia."

He rejected charges by the Hizbullah-led opposition that Premier Fouad Saniora's majority government is illegitimate, stressing that the "only authority capable of judging the government is the parliament."

Rizq said he has received a new report from the United Nations on progress of the international tribunal, which he declined to disclose its contents.

The justice minister stressed that the four generals arrested in connection with the 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri were apprehended upon a recommendation from the U.N. investigation commission.

Such a recommendation persists "that is why they remain in custody," Rizq added.