April 30, 2008
"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
"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
