30/07/2010 Friday was "exceptional" in Lebanon…
On Friday, the Lebanese capital was witnessing a historic and unprecedented "twofold visit" as Syrian President Bachar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz landed "together" in Beirut, where they were expected to hold summits and meet officials.
The visit was believed to be historic for many reasons, at the top of which comes the "identity" of the "guests" as well as the "nature" of the current stage, considered by all Lebanese to be accurate and sensitive.
The importance of the visit can also be reflected through the "relaxing atmosphere" that prevailed in the country following its mere announcement. One week ago, Lebanon seemed to be heading towards a definite crisis from the gate of an "already written" verdict accusing Hezbollah of being involved in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.
One bloc was warning of a serious plot to create sedition in the country through the newest Israeli project, the STL, while the other bloc was rejecting any discussion or compromise, claiming that "international justice" comes above everything else.
After all tools and weapons were used to intensify and aggravate the crisis, everything suddenly slowed down.
The political rhetoric became more silent than ever and the politicians, from rival blocs, turned to be "beloved allies" just as if "nothing happened."
The reason was too simple: Assad and Abdullah declared their "intention" to visit the country…
TRIPARTITE SUMMIT PRECEDES EXPANDED MEETING
Right after the two leaders' arrival to the Baabda Presidential Palace, a short summit took place between them and President Michel Sleiman. The three rulers were then joined by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
The expanded talks that took place soon after were attended by Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami, his Syrian and Saudi counterparts Walid al-Moallem and Saud al-Faisal respectively, Syrian presidential advisor Buthaina Shaaban, and head of the Saudi intelligence service Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz.
The statement issued by the Lebanese presidency following the mini-statement said that visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Saudi King Abdullah on Friday urged Lebanese parties to avoid resorting to violence in the face of mounting political tensions in the country. "The leaders stressed the importance of stability... the commitment of the Lebanese not to resort to violence and the need to place the country's interests above all sectarian interests," the statement said, stressing the need to "resort to legal institutions and Lebanon's unity government to resolve any differences."
The statement urged Lebanese parties to "pursue the path of appeasement and dialogue and to boost national unity in the face of outside threats," referring to Israel. The Saudi and Syrian leaders said they stood in solidarity with Lebanon "in the face of Israel's daily violations of its sovereignty and its attempts to destabilize the country."
Asked about the outcome of the brief talks as he left the presidential palace, the Syrian leader gave a thumbs up and said: "The discussions were excellent."
The talks were followed by a luncheon banquet in honor of King Abdullah and President Assad, attended by a number of ministers, MPs, major military and security officials, and a number of Arab and foreign ministers.
Saudi and Syrian flags were on display throughout the Lebanese capital on Friday along huge portraits of the king carrying a welcome message. Security was also tight, with additional army and police deployed.
Former presidents, the heads of political parties who are not MPs, and religious leaders have not been invited to the luncheon, making the Phalange Party the most notable absentee.
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea was also uninvited.
One week ago, Geagea said that he would attend a ceremony in honor of President Bachar Assad in case "he was invited." However, he wasn't in what appeared to be a "message" for him, reflected in Syrian daily Al-Watan which described him as 'undesirable.'
'OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW ARAB UNITY'
"The whole visit is about containing the situation for the immediate future," said Sahar Atrache, a Beirut-based analyst with the International Crisis Group think-tank. "They are here to exert influence on their internal allies... to prevent a real escalation."
Arab League chief Amr Moussa, meanwhile, described the visits of Arab leaders to Beirut as positive and aimed at stressing Arab support for Lebanon. "The visits of Arab leaders to Lebanon are positive and aimed at stressing Arab support for Lebanon," Moussa told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in remarks published Friday. "Lebanon is not alone and will not be left alone in the face of any negative developments or any attacks," he said "During their visits to Beirut, the Arab leaders speak in the name of all Arabs in their willingness to support Lebanon," Moussa added.Abdullah visited Beirut for the first time as Saudi king. He had attended the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002 when he was still crown prince. He became the first Saudi monarch to visit the country since 1957.
As for Assad, he visited the Lebanese capital after an eight-year absence to consolidate the resumption of normal ties between the two countries following five years of tension that erupted after Hariri's assassination in February 2005.
Also coming to Beirut on Friday is the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. The emir, who is staying until Sunday, is to meet separately with Lebanese leaders and is due to visit the south of the country.
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