Hizbullah visits Archbishop Aoude - positive ties with Syria

Daily Star, 09-6-2006.
BEIRUT: Hizbullah politburo member Hajj Ghaleb Abu Zeinab said Thursday that healthier relations between Lebanon and Syria would further the interests of both countries.
Speaking following a visit to Beirut`s Orthodox Archbishop, Elias Aoude, Abu Zeinab said in order to mend ties between Lebanon and Syria the political climate must be favorable.
The Hizbullah official was asked by reporters why Hizbullah, an ally of Syria, had not undertaken to mediate between both countries to improve strained relations.
"If the general climate is not positive, Hizbullah`s help will not be enough," he replied.
The Hizbullah official said he had paid Aoude a visit to discuss last Thursday`s riots.
On June 1, the LBC television station aired a comedy show satirizing Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Almost immediately, riots swept many Lebanese regions in protest.
Abu Zeinab said the Lebanese must unite and transcend "trivial details," drawing a line between what is acceptable and what is an insult to religious leaders.