Source: Nowlebanon.com, March 14, 2008
Resigned Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said it is normal for Syria to send an invitation to Lebanon to attend the Arab Summit in Damascus. "There was no agenda behind the timing of the invitation," Salloukh told Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily.
"But it was not sent before March 11, the date on which the presidential-election session was scheduled to avoid being seen as marginalizing the session," he added.
Salloukh said that if presidential elections take place on March 25, the president will attend the summit.
He also affirmed that he will not attend the summit, "as the invitation was sent to PM Fouad Seniora." "Yet I might participate in a delegation representing Lebanon," he said.
Salloukh noted that it is up to the government to decide whether or not to participate and on its level of representation.
"I hope this matter is examined carefully and that a delegation represents Lebanon, because it is in the country's best interest to participate," Salloukh said.