Syria Reportedly Sets New Conditions for Approval of Arab Initiative

by **Admin** Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:25 am

Fears
that the Lebanese crisis could lead to armed conflict and deterioration
in economic conditions increased as Syria reportedly set new conditions
for approval of an Arab initiative to end the ongoing political
stalemate.

The
daily Al Liwaa, citing Arab diplomatic sources in Cairo, said Monday
that Arab League chief Amr Moussa sensed a "hardening" of Syria's
positions toward the crisis.

The
sources said Moussa, who stressed that the Arab League will continue
its efforts to help bring an end to the Lebanese impasse, returned to
Cairo from Damascus with an "unsatisfactory impression."

They
said high-ranking Syrian officials have informed Moussa that the Arab
initiative could be implemented following approval of three suggestions:

1- Formation of a neutral, transitional government.

2- Agreement on the 1960 electoral law.

3- Agreement on a consensus president.

Moussa
said following a meeting with Morocco's foreign minister that
repercussion of the Lebanese crisis has spread to the entire Arab
region and has negatively affected inter-Arab relations.