SSNP: Saudi Arabia is taking sides with the government

Source: NowLebanon, 23-04-2008
Ali Qanso, Head of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, reiterated his party's support for Speaker Nabih Berri's call to revive dialogue.
"The opposition's point of view is that dialogue is the only means to a solution," Qanso said after meeting with former Premier Omar Karami.
"The alternative to dialogue is the prolongation of the crisis and tension. We are not very hopeful because the February 14 [March 14] forces have rejected Berri's call for dialogue," he added.
Qanso said that the majority is rejecting dialogue because it has interests in the extension of the presidential vacuum and that it doesn't want dialogue or solutions because it can't function without the help of Arab governments.
He also criticized Saudi Arabia for blaming the opposition for the political crisis in Lebanon.
"Saudi Arabia has taken sides with the pro-government party, which is rejecting dialogue and solutions and is organically tied to the US administration," Qanso said.
"The US has clearly said its priority is keeping the Lebanese government in power until the legislative elections are held. The US wants to preserve the state of vacuum, and the pro-(US backed) government party cannot disconnect itself from the US," he added.