Aoun’s Visit, a Decisive Step in Developing Relations

08/12/2008

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s political advisor, Bouthaina Shaaban, said that Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun’s visit to Syria marked a decisive step in the positive and developing relationship between Lebanon and Syria. She said that the visit reflected people’s longing for real openness between Syria and Lebanon, adding that whoever worked for these relations would be loved and appreciated.

“If we believe that politics stems from popular legitimacy, then this visit has undoubtedly revealed the two populations’ desire to establish special relations that serve both countries’ interests,” she said in an interview with Lebanese daily As-Safir on Monday.

Shaaban said that some Lebanese were purposefully saying that “special relations” equated to Syrian interference in Lebanese political affairs in order to prevent the development of normal bilateral relations. She rejected comments claiming that the numerous visits by Lebanese officials to Syria placed Lebanon within a Syrian-Iranian axis against other Arab states. “These axes are only present in the minds of those speaking about it,” she said.

Shaaban said that Syria, under Assad’s leadership, sought special relations with its neighbors from Lebanon to Turkey and Iran because such relations were crucial in a multi-polar world. She said that it was time for the Arabs to form a political grouping that reasserted their rights and dignity.

“The entire Syrian population, headed by President Bashar al-Assad saw in General Michel Aoun an honest and good person who gives priority to national interests over personal interests and sensitivities. This is exactly what the Arabs need during this period,” she said.

Aoun Concludes His 5-Day Visit to Syria

"We thought the distance between Mount Lebanon and Mount Syria is far. However, is it much shorter than imagined."

07/12/2008 The head of the Reform and Change Parliamentary Bloc MP Michel Aoun ended his five day visit to Syria on Sunday. He returned to Beirut on board a Syrian jet with his wife. His entourage on board another. Prior to leaving Syria Aoun said:" there is nothing between the Christians that calls for reconciliation, because differences are part of part of the democratic process."

"As for personal problems, the courts can look into that. However, we are reconciled with ourselves and I don't think we will differ over St. Maroun," he said.

In a short statement, following his attendance of a mass service at St. Maroun's in Aleppo, he said: "We thought the distance between Mount Lebanon and Mount Syria is far. However, is it much shorter than imagined."

Aoun pointed that he wants bilateral relations to be normal, stressing a common historic destiny in making it possible.

"We look around and see this land that was once abandoned at a moment in time, now all that left are attracted back by the same spirit. Today we are among those that have returned to this land," he said.

Aoun paid tribute to Muslims on the occasion of the al-Adha feast, hoping for common feasts saying:" Let us all share together with our feasts. This is common living, this is the call of our common heavenly faiths."

On the 5th day of his visit to Syria Aoun visited the tomb of St. Maroun at Brad, northern Aleppo and attended a large mass. He also visited various religious and archeological sites some dating back to the second century A.D. During the tour, Aoun was accompanied by Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mikdad and Aleppo Governor Tamer al-Hijja.

Patriarch Youseef Abi A'ad of Aleppo Maronite Church said the visit of Aoun to Syria "means a lot to us from a big political personality."

"This visit has several meanings because General Aoun is one of the Christian and national figures," the Patriarch added in a speech to Lebanese OTV station.