Assad: Syria is ready to demarcate northern borders with Lebanon after "Israel" withdrawals from Shibaa

Source: As-Sharq, 2-4-2009

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with the Qatari newspaper As-Sharq on Thursday that his country was ready to demarcate the northern borders with Lebanon after "Israel" withdraws from the Shibaa Farms.

He said the demarcation process did not need to pass through the UN, because "both countries can agree over the property of the land, demarcate the borders and then inform the UN of our decision."

"We told the Lebanese and the UN that "Israel" should withdraw from the Shibaa Farms first. Why isn't Lebanon concerned about its northern borders with Syria and only concerned with the farms?" he asked.

The Syrian president added that Damascus was ready to start the border demarcation immediately, noting that there was no disagreement with the Lebanese state, but "some Lebanese parties have disputes with Syria, and this issue has nothing to do with the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon as some claim."

Assad also said Syria did not have any information on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and "we have previously announced that any relations between Damascus and the court should be based on an agreement signed by both sides."

He said Syria supported Hizbullah, because both had the same cause, which was "the "Israeli" enemy and Hizbullah is a patriotic Lebanese party with a religious agenda."