March 14 Insists on Unconditional Presidential Election, Berri Awaits Response

by Naharnet

The March 14 alliance has linked a return to the dialogue table to the unconditional election of a president and commissioned MP Saad Hariri to discuss with Speaker Nabih Berri ways that ensure a new head of state is chosen on May 13. Meanwhile, Berri said in a statement he is waiting for a response from the majority and upon agreement "we shift from dialogue to electing a president."

The ruling coalition’s official announcement to Berri’s call for dialogue under his auspices came Monday night after a meeting held in Qoreitem and attended by former President Amin Gemayel, Hariri, Druze leader Walid Jumblat, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea and other prominent March 14 cabinet ministers, legislators and politicians.

Posted on: 04/30/08

Arab League Chief to Hold Crisis Talks in Beirut

by Reuters

Arab League chief Amr Moussa will hold talks in Beirut this week to try to help rival leaders reach a deal to end Lebanon’s political crisis, political sources said on Tuesday.

Moussa, who has made several unsuccessful attempts to mediate since the crisis began 17 months ago, will meet leaders of the U.S.-backed ruling coalition and the Hezbollah-led opposition on Thursday, the sources said.

Posted on: 04/30/08

Registrar of Hariri Court to Take Up Post This Week

by Michael Bluhm (The Daily Star)

The establishment of the UN tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has moved one step closer, as the UN announced on Tuesday that the tribunal’s registrar was formally taking office this week. As registrar, Robin Vincent will function akin to the manager of the tribunal, preparing the premises of the tribunal in Holland’s The Hague, recruiting administrative personnel and laying out the court’s budget, said the statement issued by the office of UN chief Ban Ki-moon. …

The statement added that Vincent would also be "coordinating the transition" between the commission investigating Hariri’s killing and the tribunal, but a UN spokesperson said no one should interpret that as meaning the tribunal would arise in the near future.

Posted on: 04/30/08

Top Syrian Emissary: We Won’t Sever Ties With Iran for Peace With Israel

by Yoav Stern and Barak Ravid (Haaretz)

Syria will not sever ties with Iran and Hezbollah even as part of a possible peace agreement with Israel, a senior Syrian analyst who is handling the government’s contacts as it relates to the peace process said on Tuesday. …

Taqi, in an interview broadcast on Saturday on Al Jazeera, spoke from Damascus and said Syria was interested in moving ahead in talks with Israel even during the present U.S. administration. He said now was the time to prepare for for the pre-negotiation phase, to declare intentions and points of view, until the parties reach the point at which the Americans would be prepared to intervene.

Posted on: 04/30/08

Via Hezbollah, Syria Bears Some Responsibility

"I owe it to the transparency between me and my brothers, the Arab leaders, to clarify that what has been circulating about the so-called Syrian interference in Lebanon … I would like to say to you, honestly, that what is happening on the ground is the exact opposite. Pressure has been exerted on Syria for over a year aimed at obliging us to interfere in the internal affairs of Lebanon. But we have refused to do so … They [Lebanese] have their own country, their own institutions and their own constitution and they are capable of achieving a solution themselves."
–Syrian President Bashar al Assad, opening address, Damascus Arab League Summit, March 29, 2008

VS.

"The disarming and disbanding of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias is a necessary element to complete the consolidation of Lebanon as a sovereign and democratic State. … I reiterate my position that the disarming and disbanding of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias should be carried out through an inclusive political dialogue that addresses the political and economic interests of all the Lebanese. I urge renewed political dialogue in Lebanon to affirm the commitment of all parties to the disarmament of militias in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, in fulfilment of the terms of resolution 1559 (2004). In this context, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which maintain close ties with [Hezbollah], bear a significant responsibility in supporting such a process, for the sake of the security, stability and welfare of both Lebanon and the wider region."
–Seventh semi-annual report of the Secretary General on the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1559 (2004), April 2008