Assad for Restoration of Diplomatic Ties with Lebanon after New Government

by **Admin** Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:02 pm

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday was quoted as saying that he has no objection to restoring diplomatic ties with Lebanon but only after the formation of a national unity government.

Diplomatic sources who took part in the Arab Summit said Assad rejected tackling the Lebanese political crisis during the Damascus meeting "given that Lebanon was absent."

"Assad was reiterating Libyan President Moammar Kaddafi's stance," one source said.

The source said that one Arab leader suggested formation of a committee grouping Arab heads of state to be tasked with "purifying" relations between Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

"The proposal was rejected," he said, adding that Arab leaders insisted on banning Syria any card until it settles several issues, among them the Lebanon crisis.

The sources accused the Syrian regime of blocking any settlement to the crisis.