LEBANON: Syrian foreign minister and Arab League Secretary-General meet Lebanese officials.

Syria's foreign minister and the Secretary-General of the Arab League visited Lebanon on Sunday (August 6, 2006) ahead of a meeting of Arab foreign ministers. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem first met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud then with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. Mouallem, reiterated that Syria would respond if Israel attacks it. "We are preparing and we will be prepared to strike back swiftly to any Israeli attack (on Syria)." He went further saying that he would be willing to fight with Hizbollah. "If you desire, I would love to be one of (Hizbollah Chief) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah soldiers," Mouallem said. On Sunday Lebanon's parliament speaker said Beirut rejected a draft U.N. Security Council resolution drafted by France and the U.S. Nabih Berri, a Shi'ite politician who has been the main channel between Hizbollah and Siniora, said the draft ignored the Beirut government's seven-point plan calling for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of all displaced civilians among other things. Lebanon will seek support for its position from Arab foreign ministers at the meeting in Beirut on Monday (August 7). The draft resolution calls for a "full cessation of hostilities based upon ... the immediate cessation by Hizbollah of all attacks and the immediate cessation by Israel of all offensive military operations". It implicitly gives Israel the right to pursue "defensive" military operations. A vote on the resolution is expected on Monday (August 7) or Tuesday (August 8). After a visit to Syria, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa arrived in the Lebanese capital amid tight security. Arriving at Beirut airport, Moussa condemned the Israeli attacks and called for U.N. action. "I don't have quick reaction. That I don't accept what we are hearing, these bombs directed against civilians and against people in their homes. It's something that really requires condemnation and requires a serious action from the Security Council not an hesitating action." He expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people. "This meeting is correctly and appropriately timed. During the 26 days (of conflicts between Hizbollah and Israel) Lebanon was in our heart, and we stood by this country and our contacts and cooperation whether with the Lebanese government or the parliament or the leaders of Lebanon never stopped." Earlier on Sunday, Moussa criticised on Sunday a draft U.N. Security Council resolution on Lebanon, saying it had failed to call directly for an immediate ceasefire.

ITN Source | August 7, 2006

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