Naharnet

Al-Mustaqbal Demands Action to Halt Statements Affecting Ties with Arab Countries

The revival of Lebanese ties with Gulf states should come by imposing the appropriate measures to halt interference in the local affairs of the neighboring country Syria, al-Mustaqbal MP Jamal al-Jarrah said on Thursday.

The lawmaker called on officials to abide by the dissociation policy, which is stated in the Baabda declaration.

AL-Jarrah told al-Liwaa newspaper published on Thursday that Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri and Kuwaiti Ambassador Abdul Aal al-Qinai expressed understanding that the statements of some officials don't represent the Lebanese state.

“We should take the appropriate measures against actions harming Lebanon's image and its historic ties with the Arab countries,” al-Jarrah told the daily.

A March 14 delegation, including MPs Marwan Hamadeh, al-Jarrah, Elie Marouni and Joseph Maalouf, held separate talks on Wednesday with Asiri and al-Qinai.

A statement issued by the delegation called on the Gulf states not to hold all the Lebanese accountable for the statements and “irresponsible” stances of Hizbullah and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun.

Hizbullah and Aoun had recently criticized the international community and the Arab League for their lack of support for Bahraini protesters.

Hizbullah has been also accused of sending fighters to Syria to support the regime of President Bashar Assad in its battle against rebels.

Al-Jarrah lashed out at a request by Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour during a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to “return the Syrian government its seat at the Arab League after Arab states failed to resolve the Syrian crisis.”

He wondered if the FM is failing to abide by decisions taken by the government.

Several officials including Prime Minister Najib Miqati refuted Mansour's statements, stressing that the cabinet is committed to the Baabda Declaration.

On Tuesday, the Gulf Cooperation Council expressed “great concern” over the government's failure to abide by the dissociation policy.

The Baabda Declaration was sponsored by President Michel Suleiman and calls for different parties to adhere to the disassociation policy to avoid the spread of the unrest in Syria to Lebanese territories.


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