Fletcher Hopes for Unity Among Officials on Distancing themselves from Syria Crisis

British Ambassador Tom Fletcher has expressed hope that the Lebanese government and officials would be united in their stance in distancing themselves from the Syrian crisis.

“The messages of President Michel Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati in that regard have been very clear and have been welcomed by us,” Fletcher told As Safir daily in an interview published Saturday.

“I believe that it’s very important for us to hear the same message from all the ministers including the foreign minister” so that people would know that “Lebanon has a neutral stance.”

Asked how he would assess the performance of Miqati’s cabinet, Fletcher said: “We should admit at this stage that Miqati’s government respected Lebanon’s international commitments … including that linked to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.”

“Britain appreciates this and recognizes it. That’s why our Prime Minister David Cameron invited PM Miqati” to London in November last year.

Cameron’s decision last month to double the training programs to the Lebanese armed forces, increase bilateral trade by 20 percent and support the Code of Conduct established by the Internal Security Forces came over London’s keenness to see stability and growth in Lebanon, the diplomat told As Safir.

Fletcher hinted that Britain’s ties with Hizbullah could improve if the party changes its political approach.

“There are no direct contacts with Hizbullah,” he said, stressing that it could be easier in the future to have direct contacts with it if it fixes its political approach.

“But we haven’t reached that stage yet,” the ambassador said. He added that any decision by London to have better relations with the party lies not only on its approach but on the entire situation in the region, particularly that Iran has a major influence on Hizbullah.

He expressed relief that Hizbullah is stressing on stability in Lebanon. “This is an additional sign that it is seeking to cling more onto stability and coexistence in Lebanon.”