Feltman to Lebanese Leaders: Cabinet Shouldn’t Witness Light! - Syrian Ambassador: Syria More Fortified than Ever

Local Editor

The government should not witness light…

This is the message carried out by US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman in his ‘suspicious’ visit to Lebanon, in which he met with President Michel Sleiman, Prime Minister-Designate Najib Miqati as well as the head of the National Struggle Front MP Walid Jumblatt.

Feltman couldn’t, however, meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri because of the latter’s ‘busy agenda’. Berri explained to reporters on Saturday that his busy schedule prevented him from meeting with the US official on Friday. "I was in the South and it helped me see the clear picture when he visited various officials, whom we all trust," Berri told reporters.

Pan-Arab daily As-Sharq Al-Awsat quoted Hezbollah parliamentary sources as saying that Feltman carried a message to President Michel Sleiman and PM-designate Najib Miqati that the government "should not witness light." He stressed to them that the policy statement should clearly refer to Lebanon's commitment to the rulings of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the sources said.

The sources accused Washington of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip against Syria which they said is now busy with its local issues and is incapable of pushing towards the formation of a new Lebanese government. The lawmakers stressed that the deadlock will continue as long as Syria is in upheaval.

The head of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohamad Raad said, meanwhile, that what happened in the southern border town of Maroun al-Ras is what made Feltman rush towards Lebanon to seek measures that preserve Israel’s security, because the Americans have sensed real threat coming from the Palestinian people’s rising enthusiasm.

For his part, Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said during a speech in the southern town of Bint Jbeil on Sunday that Feltman's visit to Lebanon was a continuation of the provocation against Syria. He accused the US of seeking to shove Lebanon into Syria's internal problems.

Feltman ended his visit to Lebanon on Saturday after holding talks with a number of Lebanese officials on the government formation process. A US Embassy statement said that he reiterated the US's view that the international community will assess its relationship with any new government of Lebanon based on the make-up of the next cabinet, its ministerial statement and the actions it takes in regard to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Lebanon's other international obligations.

Syrian Ambassador: Syria More Fortified than Ever

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali said on Friday that Syria is more fortified than ever after the recent unrest witnessed in the Arab country.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Ambassador Ali assured that matters are improving in Syria. He also said that reforms are being implemented at a fast pace.

Asked about US President Barack Obama's latest speech on the region, the Syrian ambassador said Obama’s statements weren't surprising as the US policy has and still is biased towards Israeli aggression.

Asked if US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman's visit to Lebanon is connected to the developments in Syria, Ambassador Ali highlighted that Feltman is not new to Lebanon. "He meddles in its affairs whether he is abroad or in the country," the Syrian ambassador remarked.
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