Al-Assad Meets Lebanese Figures, Drilling Oil Gov’t Next Priority
September closes its doors on a package of political interests that begins with the file of Lebanese oil and doesn't stop at a certain point.
Financing the Special Tribunal of Lebanon, bilateral relations between Lebanon and the neighboring Arab countries, US blatant intervention in the Lebanese internal affairs, daily life issues, as well as political harassment are part of the daily political menu.
As Lebanon's executive authority is packaging its political files preparing to hand over the presidency of the Security Council, it seems that the Lebanese scene is open to all possibilities, especially that the Maronite Patriarch's voice of wisdom annoyed some of those who work according to an American timer.
Damascus Mufti in Bkirki, "March 14" against Rai
Damascus Grand Mufti Sheikh Adnan al-Afyouni visited at the head of a Syrian
delegation that included the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali the Maronie Patriarch Bshara Rai at Bkirki Wednesday.
Praising Rai's positions and wisdom, al-Afyouni said that it is normal for the Patriarch to reject heated rhetoric among officials.
After the one hour meeting with Rai, Afyouni told reporters that "the visit was successful as we elaborated on the honorable statements by the Patriarch."
Afyouni declined to comment if he carried a message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Rai.
Asked if Rai will visit Syria, the Mufti replied: "God willing and it will be coordinated with the Patriarch."
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese newspaper, the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali uncovered that "the delegation carried a message of appreciation for Rai's recent statements, tone of compromise and alert to the
existing risks resulting from both the "Israeli" occupation, and sedition's speech."
Explaining that the delegation warned of "frantic seek to provoke sectarian strife aiming to devote the existence of the Zionist entity as a Jewish state, by pushing in the direction of region's fragmentation and the creation of denominational sectarian states," Ali informed that "the Mufti assured the Patriarch that Syria is emerging from the ordeal."
Ali also clarified that Rai's visit to Syria isn't set on the table as the latter preparing for a lengthy tour in the US.
On the Patriarch's visit to the US, "as-Safir" revealed that the Patriarch didn't ask for an appointment with any of the US officials.
"We do not want to hostile US. We express our national convictions but if they didn't like our positions, so this does not mean that we will amend them," the Patriarch said.
"Media war led by "March14" in the US tried tarnished the image of the head of the Maronite Church and to burn his image ahead of his upcoming visit and in this context, interests were focused on MP Antoine Zahra's sudden visit to US parallel to Rai's visit," "as-Safir" commented.
Earlier Wednesday, Rai headed the monthly meeting of Maronite Bishops, urging Lebanese political leaders to use dialogue to resolve disputes.
"Let us sit at the dialogue table and discuss our concerns and doubts and renew our confidence in one another so that we can be strong," the council stressed in its statement.
Voicing support for Rai's positions, the bishops said that "the Patriarch's visit to France was an occasion to courageously bear witness to the truth and call on the international community to assume its responsibilities to promote justice and equality and eliminate the injustice inflicted on the people by ensuring the implementation of Security Council resolutions."
At another context, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated that Syria is keen on Lebanon's stability and security, noting that the "painful events that had taken place in Syria have come to an end."
Assad to Hoss: Syria Regaining Stability, Supports Lebanon
After holding talks with former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss, al-Assad stressed that "the Syrian cities that were targeted in the incidents have started to regain their stability."
"The Syrian authority is keen on maintaining the peace to ensure the safety of the Syrian people," he added.
"Syria supports Lebanon and it will stand by it in defending its unity, message, and existence," said a statement issued by Hoss' media department.
"Syria plays a central and pioneering role in protecting Arabism and it is being targeted because of this," Hoss declared.
In this context, "al-Joumhoriya" daily informed that "the Syrian president will receive the former Prime Minister Omar Karami Thursday in a series of meetings with leaders and other Lebanese figures."
Mikati: To Work for Lebanese Interest
In parallel, Lebanese PM Najib Mikati has denied that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had warned him about certain measures on Lebanon if Lebanese authorities reject UN Security Council action against Syria.
In an interview with the pan-Arab daily "al-Hayat" published Thursday, Mikati stated that "we don't work under anyone's guidance. We work for Lebanese interest which lies in supporting international legitimacy."
While confirming that he had friendly personal ties with Syrian President, he said that "the funding and the implementation of international resolutions fall in Lebanon's interest and I don't think that anyone is against it."
Mikati unveiled that Army Chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji will visit the US early October for talks with top officials there to provide Lebanon with the necessary military equipment.
Meanwhile, "an-Nahar" daily mentioned that former PM Saad Hariri might soon meet with "National Struggle Front" leader MP Walid Jumblatt in France.
According to the daily, "Hariri and Jumblatt might meet during political events to be held in Paris."
Berri Urges Officials: To Drill Oil
For his part, House Speaker Nabih Berri is scheduled to travel to Iran on Friday and later visit Armenia where he will discuss bilateral ties, media reports said.
On Thursday, Berri urged officials to launch efforts to drill for oil and gas in Lebanon's Exclusive Economic Zone, including the 870-square-kilometer area.
"We will absolutely not accept a de facto situation whereby we cannot drill in 860 square kilometers in Lebanon's Exclusive Economic Zone, as that would mean our acceptance of claims that this is a disputed area and this is absolutely false," Berri's visitors quoted him as saying.
The chairman of Parliament's Public Works and Transport Committee, Beirut MP Mohmmad Qabbani, told reporters after meeting with Berri that the speaker would follow up on the issue with PM Mikati immediately upon his return from New York.
Source: Lebanese newspapers, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
