Iran Takes Valuable Steps for Lebanon

Source: Alalam TV, 08-03-2008
DAMASCUS --A Lebanese political activist praised Iran Friday for efforts in Syria and Saudi Arabia in a bid to break Lebanon's longstanding political logjam, describing them as 'valuable'.
Mohammad Seyyed Qassim, a member of the Damascus-based Committee for Monitoring Lebanese Parties and Personalities, told Alalam that, "Iran's attempts have paved the way for many positive changes in Lebanon."
Iranian Foreign Ministers Manoucher Mottaki and his Saudi counterpart Saud al-Faisal held talks at Cairo airport on Wednesday, March 5 in a possible attempt to resolve a political crisis in Lebanon.
"Washington faced a blocked wall in Lebanon," Qassim said, referring to what he described as a 'failure' in US interference in Lebanon's political crisis. "All US efforts to push the opposition to the sidelines by leveling baseless accusations against the party were botched."
He downplayed a 'Negative American media hype' against Lebanon's opposition as well as the deployment of US warships off the Lebanese coast, describing them as 'futile efforts to make US goals come true'.
The Lebanese politician also advised the White House to reconsider its policy with regard to Lebanon.
Washington has boosted its military presence in the Middle East and the region where it is already engaged in two ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and sending the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole to Lebanese waters.
Asked about an Arab League initiative to help feuding Lebanese parties elect a president, he said, "The opposition supports the plan and this is to show that the party welcomes any constructive proposal for getting the country out of crisis."
The Arab League plan calls for the election of army chief Michel Sleiman as president, the formation of a national unity government in which no one party has veto power, and the adoption of a new electoral law.
Lebanon has not had a head of state since November 24 due to a power struggle.