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Syria-Lebanon-Iran | ||
Siniora sez no interest in Israel peace talks | ||
2008-12-26 | ||
‘I see no interest for us right now to discuss direct negotiations or indirect negotiations with Israel,’ Siniora said in an interview with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation broadcast on Wednesday. ‘No one has challenged our claim of authority and ownership of the land that Israel occupies. So we see it as premature to take a decision in this regard as yet,’ he added. Israel withrew from south Lebanon in 2000 after more than two decades of occupation, but Lebanon claims it is still occupying land on the border, including Shebaa Farms, a mountainous sliver of land rich in water resources.
‘We are closely following what the Syrian Arab Republic is undertaking, but that is the decision of the Syrian Arab Republic... we in Lebanon have to look at our situation very carefully,’ Siniora said. ‘We always have said it is in Lebanon's interest to be the last country to enter into a peace process (with Israel),’ he added. Siniora also welcomed the imminent opening of the first-ever Syrian embassy in Beirut after the two countries agreed to reestablish ties for the first time since independence 60 years ago. ‘It is a very important and fundamental step that lays the groundwork for other steps,’ the Lebanese premier said | ||
Posted by:Steve White |
#1 No point talking peace until the Lebanon elections are over. |
Posted by: rjschwarz 2008-12-26 11:47 |