Al-Akhbar: Sarkouzy Expresses to Assad Concerns of Inevitable Collapse of Hariri Government after Indictment Issuance
Local Editor
Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar mentioned that French President Nicolas Sarkouzy revealed to his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, the content of the discussions that took part between Sarkouzy and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri during the latter's latest official visit to Paris.
Sarkouzy said that PM expressed concerns that opposition ministers would resign from their positions in the cabinet, an attempt which will lead to the collapse of his government.
The daily referred Hariri complained to Sarkozy his relations' status with Syria, pointing out the absentia arrest warrants issued by the Syrian Judiciary against assistants to the Lebanese PM.
In this context, President Assad explained that the arrest warrants issued are related to the false witnesses who presented false testimonies, recalling the 2005 campaign which was held to accuse him of late PM Rafiq Hariri's assassination.
According to the daily, Assad also referred that Major General Jamil As-Sayyed's case is a personal case, which the Syrian Judiciary allows to be held against Syrian suspects and their partners.
Syrian President wondered, "How can the false witnesses not be pursued?"
On the same level, Al-Akhbar newspaper stated that French President on his part wondered about the reasons behind not wanting false witnesses to be pursued, although they have misled the international investigations.
The discussion that took part between the Syrian and French presidents also included the issue involving the resignation of the opposition minister from the Lebanese government.
President Assad said that if the indictment accused any Hizbullah members, then the opposition leader will sure resign from the cabinet, urging efforts to prevent such an attempt.
On the other hand, President Sarkouzy said it is inevitable that the Hariri government will collapse if the indictment was issued.
Al-Akhbar added that Syrian President affirmed to his French counterpart, that he will not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, even if a civil or sectarian war was triggered, unless there were official requests to interfere and stop the war.
Assad further explained that Saudi-Syrian efforts have been taking place since July, and aims at preventing any sectarian conflict in Lebanon, especially after the indictment's issuance.
President Bashar Assad confirmed Syria'a role in the efforts proposed by Saudi Arabia, in order to guarantee stability in Lebanon.
Furthermore, the Lebanese daily affirmed that both Presidents agreed on supporting the Saudi-Syrian efforts, in addition to enhancing communications between Paris and Riyadh in order to follow up with the efforts.
On the level of indictment, the daily referred that President Assad stressed if the indictment was issued, affirming what media outlets published previously, then it will lead to a sectarian conflict, not only in Lebanon, but will spread in the Arab and Islamic world.
Bashar Assad, according to Al-Akhbar newspaper, recalled the stage when Syria was accused of PM Rafiq Hariri's assassination, saying that now the accusations are spotted against Hizbullah.
In this context Assad said this refers to the politicization of the international investigation, and then the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
President Sarkouzy on the other hand, said that France cannot but agree with the STL, claiming that he insists on protecting international justice.
Bashar Assad pointed out that the indictment issuance before achieving conciliation in Lebanon would destroy all previous attempts, adding that PM Hariri should take this into consideration, and refuse any accusation against Hizbullah and the Resistance.
Al-Akhbar daily referred that Syrian President said that Hizbullah is a Lebanese political party which takes part in the authorities, also takes part in the rightful resistance in defending Lebanon against the "Israeli" enemy.
Assad further urged PM Saad Hariri on dialogue with Hizbullah, and with all Lebanese parties, in order to restore direct talks between them all.
Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar mentioned that French President Nicolas Sarkouzy revealed to his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, the content of the discussions that took part between Sarkouzy and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri during the latter's latest official visit to Paris.
Sarkouzy said that PM expressed concerns that opposition ministers would resign from their positions in the cabinet, an attempt which will lead to the collapse of his government.
The daily referred Hariri complained to Sarkozy his relations' status with Syria, pointing out the absentia arrest warrants issued by the Syrian Judiciary against assistants to the Lebanese PM.
In this context, President Assad explained that the arrest warrants issued are related to the false witnesses who presented false testimonies, recalling the 2005 campaign which was held to accuse him of late PM Rafiq Hariri's assassination.
According to the daily, Assad also referred that Major General Jamil As-Sayyed's case is a personal case, which the Syrian Judiciary allows to be held against Syrian suspects and their partners.
Syrian President wondered, "How can the false witnesses not be pursued?"
On the same level, Al-Akhbar newspaper stated that French President on his part wondered about the reasons behind not wanting false witnesses to be pursued, although they have misled the international investigations.
The discussion that took part between the Syrian and French presidents also included the issue involving the resignation of the opposition minister from the Lebanese government.
President Assad said that if the indictment accused any Hizbullah members, then the opposition leader will sure resign from the cabinet, urging efforts to prevent such an attempt.
On the other hand, President Sarkouzy said it is inevitable that the Hariri government will collapse if the indictment was issued.
Al-Akhbar added that Syrian President affirmed to his French counterpart, that he will not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, even if a civil or sectarian war was triggered, unless there were official requests to interfere and stop the war.
Assad further explained that Saudi-Syrian efforts have been taking place since July, and aims at preventing any sectarian conflict in Lebanon, especially after the indictment's issuance.
President Bashar Assad confirmed Syria'a role in the efforts proposed by Saudi Arabia, in order to guarantee stability in Lebanon.
Furthermore, the Lebanese daily affirmed that both Presidents agreed on supporting the Saudi-Syrian efforts, in addition to enhancing communications between Paris and Riyadh in order to follow up with the efforts.
On the level of indictment, the daily referred that President Assad stressed if the indictment was issued, affirming what media outlets published previously, then it will lead to a sectarian conflict, not only in Lebanon, but will spread in the Arab and Islamic world.
Bashar Assad, according to Al-Akhbar newspaper, recalled the stage when Syria was accused of PM Rafiq Hariri's assassination, saying that now the accusations are spotted against Hizbullah.
In this context Assad said this refers to the politicization of the international investigation, and then the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
President Sarkouzy on the other hand, said that France cannot but agree with the STL, claiming that he insists on protecting international justice.
Bashar Assad pointed out that the indictment issuance before achieving conciliation in Lebanon would destroy all previous attempts, adding that PM Hariri should take this into consideration, and refuse any accusation against Hizbullah and the Resistance.
Al-Akhbar daily referred that Syrian President said that Hizbullah is a Lebanese political party which takes part in the authorities, also takes part in the rightful resistance in defending Lebanon against the "Israeli" enemy.
Assad further urged PM Saad Hariri on dialogue with Hizbullah, and with all Lebanese parties, in order to restore direct talks between them all.
