Lebanon's absence will negatively affect the summit

by **Admin** Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:25 pm

MP Misbah Al-Ahdab told reporters after meeting with the Italian Ambassador Gabriele Checchia "If our Arab allies pressure Syria towards facilitating the task of electing the President of the Republic, it will be reasonable to assume that Lebanon will then be represented at the summit by its president and the summit will be successful"

On the other hand if Lebanon will not be represented at the summit , this will have a very negative effect on the success of this event. He added, " by boycotting the summit we are not boycotting the Arab summit , but we are refusing to give the Syrian regime a certificate of innocence with regards to its behavior in Lebanon".

He added" Lebanon is ready to participate once Syria respects and recognizes Lebanon's independence and sovereignty ".

Checchia told reporters that he is visiting the north of Lebanon to meet with its key leaders . He said" the next half of March is very important for Lebanon and specially since on March 25th Lebanon is supposed to elect Gen. Michel Suleiman as the new president of the republic ".

He added "We in Italy consider Lebanon a friend. This is why we are actively participating in the UNIFIL peacekeeping force , this is why we are concerned about the internal situation here and this is why I am here in the north today"