Obama in Phone Call with Suleiman Warns against Hizbullah Role in Syria, Urges Timely Elections
U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday expressed to President Michel Suleiman in a telephone call his concern about the role of Hizbullah in Syria, the White House said in a released statement.
"President Obama stressed his concern about Hizbullah's active and growing role in Syria, fighting on behalf of the (President Bashar) Assad regime, which is counter to the Lebanese government's policies," said the statement.
Obama also expressed his appreciation of Suleiman's efforts in trying to preserve stability and praised Lebanon's policy of disassociation towards regional events, particularly the war in Syria.
"The two leaders agreed that all parties should respect Lebanon's policy of disassociation from the conflict in Syria and avoid actions that will involve the Lebanese people in the conflict."
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Monday that 28 Hizbullah fighters were killed in battles in the Syrian border town of al-Qusayr.
Al-Arabiya satellite news channel had reported that around 20 Hizbullah fighters and 62 others wounded in battles in Qusayr were submitted to hospitals in Beirut.
Hizbullah is a close ally of the Damascus regime, and its fighters have been battling alongside the army in the Qusayr area for weeks, according to activists.
A statement released by the Suleiman's office revealed that Obama stressed on the importance of forming a new cabinet and holding timely parliamentary elections.
Obama told Suleiman that holding the elections on time and forming a new cabinet send a strong message about the democratic practices in Lebanon, contributing also to consolidating internal stability.
In its eighth round of talks, the parliamentary electoral subcommittee failed again on Monday to reach an agreement over a new electoral law as Speaker Nabih Berri did not set a date for a new session.
This failure has raised fears that of a political vacuum in Lebanon or that the parliamentary elections will be held according to the 1960 law or that the term of the current parliament will be extended.
The U.S. President stated his support for holding a U.N.-backed international conference to deal with the issue of Syrian refugees fleeing their war-torn country.
Meanwhile, Suleiman highlighted during the phone call the importance of pushing forward fair and broad peace talks in the region, relying on the United States' aids in rescuing Syria's refugees in Lebanon.
Suleiman also stressed on the value of the received U.S. aid to the military institution, explaining that it allows the army to watch the border and maintain civil peace and stability.
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