Moallem: Accusing Hizbullah Threatens Lebanon’s Stability, Aims at Applying Political Pressure
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem assured that accusing Hizbullah members in PM Rafik Hariri's assassination is totally rejected and is a threat to Lebanon's stability. He pointed out the correlation between Lebanon's stability and neutralizing the international tribunal's work.
In a lecture he delivered on Sunday during a political Seminar in the University of Damascus, Moallem said that, "the tribunal does not want to uncover the truth; it rather wants to apply political pressure."
He considered that the tribunal's accusation to Hizbullah is not a recent issue, as this series started as soon as the German newspaper Der Spiegel predicted these accusations a year and a half ago.
Since that report, the pressure began, sometimes by saying that Hizbullah received Scud missiles, sometimes by UNIFIL members breaking into homes in South Lebanon to look for weapons, and today by accusing members saying they are undisciplined in Hizbullah.
Moallem clarified that this tribunal was established after the assassination former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri, and Syria considers that this tribunal does not aim at uncovering the truth; it is rather a political tool that was aiming at pressuring Syria.
However, after Syria's victories the tribunal realized its lack of ability to pressure it, so it diverted the accusation towards another part.
Moreover, Moallem stated, "Syria will not deal with this tribunal, it is a Lebanese matter, and if it was proven that Syrians were involved in the assassination with the availability of strong evidence, we have a law against crimes and courts in Syria and we will prosecute these criminals for the charge of treason."
Syrian Foreign Minister pointed out that Syria, "Suffered for Five years from an unjust accusation that had no justification due to this tribunal's use of false witnesses' testimonies," criticizing the leak of its investigation information to the media and "Israel"."
Regarding negotiations with "Israel", Moallem assured that "Israeli" negotiations with the Palestinians would fail because this "Israeli" government that includes extremist parties cannot achieve peace, and the moment it reveals flexibility in talks, its coalition will break down.
As for the indirect negotiations between Syria and "Israel", Moallem clarified that Syria will only proceed with these negotiations in presence of a Turkish mediator, and with the tense relations between "Israel" and Turkey, which "Israel" caused; there will not be any negotiations.
Moallem indicated that Syria's commitment to the Turkish mediator is due to the Turkish mediator's honesty, which was aware that Syria will not take any step forward towards peace unless "Israel" completely withdraws from the Golan Heights, unlike the American mediator who was never honest in negotiations.
Moallem excluded any possible American military strike against Iran, unless "Israel" involved the U.S in such a step. He assured Iran is not an easy target; it is not like Afghanistan, because it has the ability to defend itself and its lands, and expressed his sorrow that some Arabs are disregarding "Israel" to be an enemy and rather consider Iran to be one.
Regarding the Iraqi situation, Syrian Foreign Minister emphasized on Syria's supporting stance to the Iraqi unity, and its rejection to any foreign interference in the Iraqi affairs.
In conclusion, he pointed out that Syria's priorities are to liberate the Golan Heights and all the occupied Arab territories, in addition to the good economic relations with regional and international countries.
