Mouallem: Embassies to Open by 2009
Source: Al-Manar TV, 20-10-2008
Just as Syria and Lebanon started preparations for a new stage in their historic relation that would be characterized by the exchange of diplomacies, rumors were spread concerning the location of the embassies, and most important, the identities of the ambassadors.
But Syrian Foreign Minister denied Monday the names of the ambassadors would be announced at this stage, explaining that they were still under discussion. Nevertheless, he confirmed that the actual opening of the embassies in Lebanon and Syria will happen by the end of 2009.
"The ambassador's name cannot be known before consulting the two governments," Mouallem explained, denying that Damascus was seeking to name a former Christian Syrian minister or Ambassador Faisal al-Miqdad as Damascus' head of mission in Lebanon.
Speaking to Lebanese daily An-Nahar on the sidelines of the Forum for the Future in Abu Dhabi, the Syrian FM said that his country was committed to the joint statement announcing the exchange of embassies issued by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and his Syrian counterpart
Basshar al-Assad during the Damascus summit in August.
"We implement what serves the interest and political will of both countries and no third party has anything to do with the issue," Mouallem stressed.
He said that the Syrian deployment along the northern borders aimed to prevent smuggling and dismissed other claims that the deployment constituted intervention in Lebanese issues. "Any talk from another side is interference in Damascus' internal affairs," he said.
Just as Syria and Lebanon started preparations for a new stage in their historic relation that would be characterized by the exchange of diplomacies, rumors were spread concerning the location of the embassies, and most important, the identities of the ambassadors.
But Syrian Foreign Minister denied Monday the names of the ambassadors would be announced at this stage, explaining that they were still under discussion. Nevertheless, he confirmed that the actual opening of the embassies in Lebanon and Syria will happen by the end of 2009.
"The ambassador's name cannot be known before consulting the two governments," Mouallem explained, denying that Damascus was seeking to name a former Christian Syrian minister or Ambassador Faisal al-Miqdad as Damascus' head of mission in Lebanon.
Speaking to Lebanese daily An-Nahar on the sidelines of the Forum for the Future in Abu Dhabi, the Syrian FM said that his country was committed to the joint statement announcing the exchange of embassies issued by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and his Syrian counterpart
Basshar al-Assad during the Damascus summit in August.
"We implement what serves the interest and political will of both countries and no third party has anything to do with the issue," Mouallem stressed.
He said that the Syrian deployment along the northern borders aimed to prevent smuggling and dismissed other claims that the deployment constituted intervention in Lebanese issues. "Any talk from another side is interference in Damascus' internal affairs," he said.
