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Paris summit urges implementing 1559
 The leaders of France, Russia, Germany and Spain jointly demanded Friday for action on UN Security Council Resolution 1559 and called on Syria to immediately withdraw its troops and security services from Lebanon.French President Jacques Chirac said: "We have adopted a joint statement on Lebanon, a communique that, like the whole international community, insists on the compelling necessity to implement Resolution 1559." Following a meeting in Paris, Chirac, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero issued the statement, calling for "the total withdrawal of Syrian armed forces and security services ... that must quickly leave Lebanese territory." They agreed it was "necessary ... that a government capable of acting in the interests of all Lebanese people is formed quickly," and free and transparent elections take place in the country according to agreed timetables. "We will be attentive to make sure the electoral process runs smoothly," the statement said, adding the leaders hoped independent electoral observers will monitor the elections.The four leaders' call comes at a time when a leading religious Lebanese figure visits the United States to get similar backing for the resolution. Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir, who is currently visiting Washington upon an invitation by U.S. President George W. Bush, was to meet on Friday with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and UN special envoy Terje Roed-Larsen to discuss the implementation of 1559. Sfeir believes the 1989 Lebanese Taif Accord and Resolution 1559 do not differ and lead to the same conclusion. Sfeir said that Bush assured him that his country supports Lebanon's democracy and independence and insists on a full Syrian pullout before the elections that must run without any outside influence. Posted by: Fred 2005-03-19 |
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