Visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday held talks
with Syrian President Bashar al- Assad in a bid to seek his support
on the Lebanese issue, particularly on an international tribunal on
the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafik Hariri and
efforts to stop illegal arms smuggling into Lebanon.
"I discussed the special tribunal at length with the president,
" Ban told reporters after meeting Assad, saying that he requested
Syria to exert influence in order to have the Lebanese people to
reach an agreement in this regard.
Rival parties' leaders in Lebanon have been in disagreement over
the formation of the tribunal, which is the worst political split
in the country since its 1975-1990 civil war.
Ban said he emphasized the importance and the urgency for the
Lebanese people to promote national reconciliation and reach an
agreement for the formation of the tribunal.
"Neighboring countries, particularly Syria, should play a
constructive role to help this national reconciliation," said
Ban.
Ban said Assad responded that "this is an issue purely the
Lebanese people should decide with consensus opinion, ... he said
at the same time he would use his efforts to encourage the Lebanese
people to arrive at national consensus."
Ban added that Assad said Damascus would support "whatever the
Lebanese agree on" regarding the tribunal.
The UN chief, meanwhile, implied that the United Nations might
take a decision on its own if pro-and anti-Syrian factions in
Beirut cannot reach an agreement in this regard.
"If they are not able to agree on that, this is something the
United Nations, particularly the Security Council, will have to
consider," Ban said, adding "I'm not in a position to say something
other than that."
Syria has been accused of implication in Hariri's killing, an
allegation it strongly denied, and insists to try any Syrians at
home if they were involved.
The Syrian government has also objected the move to set up the
tribunal before a UN commission ended its inquiry into the
killing.
Meanwhile, the UN chief said he also discussed with Assad the
illegal movements of arms into Lebanon while urging Syria to
establish diplomatic relations and reach a border agreement with
Lebanon.
"I emphasized the importance of preventing the illegal movements
of arms into Lebanon," said Ban, noting that Syria can play a "very
positive role" in Lebanon, including assisting in disarming and
disbanding all armed groups there.
The UN Security Council authorized this month a mission to check
reports of weapons smuggling from Syria into Lebanon, especially to
the Lebanese Shiite movement of Hezbollah, which enjoys Syria's
support.
Assad reaffirmed his readiness to establish diplomatic relations
with Lebanon and agreed to reactivate the border committee with
Lebanon for the demarcation of the borders, added the UN chief.
Syria, a former power-broker in Lebanon, was forced to withdraw
its troops from there after a 29-year military presence in 2005
following Hariri's murder.
At the same time, Ban said he exchanged views with Assad on
reviving the Middle East peace process according to an Arab peace
initiative revived at the Arab summit held late March in Saudi
Arabia, saying he expected Syria to play an important role in
achieving peace and stability in the region.
Ban stressed that Israel should return all occupied Arab
territories, including Syria's Golan Heights, in accordance with
relevant UN resolutions.
Ban also expressed appreciation to Syria's "generous
accommodation" of the Iraqi refugees who have presented "a big
challenge" to the Syria n government politically, socially and
economically.
He called on the international community to help reduce the
heavy burden by Iraq's neighbors, especially Syria and Jordan, in
this regard.
According to the official SANA news agency, Assad stressed in
the talks the important role of the United Nations in regional
issues and the necessity of "building confidence and mutual respect
between the two sides."
Ban, on his first official visit to Syria since he took office
as the UN chief, wrapped up his brief stay in Damascus on Tuesday
afternoon.
The Damascus tour is the last leg of Ban's four-nation swing
that has earlier taken him to Italy, Switzerland and Qatar.
(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2007)
