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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| Siniora links Israel leaving Shebaa to Hizbullah arms | |
| 2006-04-25 | |
| Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora said in remarks published Monday that the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Shebaa Farms could lead to Hizbullah's disarmament. "If the U.S. and friendly countries help us achieve the withdrawal of Israel from Shebaa Farms, it would be possible for the Lebanese forces to be the sole owner of weapons and arms in the country," Siniora said in an interview with The Washington Post. The small, mountainous Shebaa Farms territory lies at the intersection where Lebanon, Syria and Israel meet. Siniora said that although Hizbullah has a connection to Syria and Iran, it is a Lebanese party with national objectives, namely that Israel release Lebanese detainees, provide Lebanon with maps of the land mines it planted in the South and put an end to violations of Lebanese airspace and waters. Siniora said he had discussed his proposal concerning the Shebaa Farms with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington last week. "Let me put it this way, concerning my request for Shebaa Farms, the president and his aides showed great support, but they did not really commit themselves," he said. The premier said Lebanon will normalize relations with Israel "upon the finalization of the peace process." Siniora's comments were made from the U.S. on Friday during a four-day trip to the American capital in which he met with Bush and other top officials and diplomats.
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| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Ah, the old Arab vs. USA game. "If you want us to cooperate, force Israel to comit another act of self-mutilation. |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2006-04-25 08:20 |