Naharnet Newsdesk - Syrian Press: Hizbullah Action in Lebanon 'Legitimate'

			Welcome
English

Lebanon

Syrian Press: Hizbullah Action in Lebanon 'Legitimate'
Hizbullah's action in Lebanon during deadly sectarian fighting with pro-government supporters was a "legitimate defense" to a coup attempt, the official Syrian press has said.
"The actions of the national resistance (Hizbullah) were a legitimate defense when faced with an attempted coup by the ruling power," the Al-Baath newspaper said.

Hizbullah, the Shiite group which spearheads the Lebanese opposition supported by Iran and Syria, seized control of west Beirut last week in a wave of deadly clashes with pro-government rivals.

The government aimed "to besiege the nationalist forces and deprive them of their weapons, in line with Israel's objectives and on the orders of the United States," the paper added.

The sectarian fighting was the worst since the 1975-1990 civil war and has left at least 65 people dead and around 200 wounded in six bloody days.

An Arab League delegation is in Beirut to hold talks with rival factions in a fresh bid to find a solution to the long-running political feud which has left Lebanon without a president since November 2007.

"Syria supports the efforts of the Arab ministerial League chaired by Qatar to guarantee the implementation of the Arab initiative, which allows for a global strategy in three phases," a Syrian foreign ministry statement said.

The Arab League initiative calls for the election of consensus candidate army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman, formation of a national unity government and amendments to electoral law.

Al-Baath said the Bush administration "poured oil on the fire by backing the majority and the illegitimate government and working to internationalize the crisis in order to find solutions which serve the interests of Israel."

"The solution to Lebanon lies in finding a national agreement between all the Lebanese people," the paper added.(AFP)

Beirut, 15 May 08, 06:59


Your Comments


You Make the News

Cast Your Comments on this Article
View & Recommend Readers' Comments

Other Headlines

Khalife Clarifies Previous Statement: Ethiopian Plane 'Explosion' Not Necessarily Sabotage Act

Separate St. Maroun Celebrations in Beirut and Brad, Sfeir Says Maronite Church Keen on Coexistence

Spanish King Inspects U.N. Troops in South Lebanon

Jumblat Expresses Regret at 'Offensive Words' against Syrian People, Leadership

Hariri Convinced with Syrian Clarifications on Assad's Remarks

Struger: The Situation is Calm, All Sides Cooperating with UNIFIL

Murr Kicks of Talks with U.S. Officials

Army Arrests Majzoub's Uncle

Suleiman to Spain's King: Lebanon, UNIFIL Facing Dangerous Israeli Threats

Saudi Government Urges International Response to Israeli Threats Against Lebanon, Syria

U.S. Congressman Involved in Deployment of U.S. Marines in Beirut Dies

Phalange Party: Assad's Remarks 'a Second Message' after Abu Moussa's

Jumblat: Leave the Issue of Feb. 14 Rally Participation to Last Minute

Sfeir in Lent Message: Maronite Presence is Based on Covenant, We Ask for No One's Guarantees

Quarrel at Manara Fishermen Port: Mashnouq Denies Being Beaten, Aridi Declines to Comment

Recovered Black Box Could Tell Story of Ethiopian Plane Crash

Assad to Berri: Syria will Support Lebanon if Israel Attacks

Black Box Retrieved 14 Days after Ethiopian Plane Crash

Filipina House Worker Murders Employer's Sister with Kitchen Knife

Rifi in Damascus as March 14 Adapts to New Phase

Assad to Berri: We Support Lebanon and Its Stability

Aoun: Lebanese Refugees in Israel is a Pressing Issue, Not All of Them are Spies

Survey: Mixed View of Hizbullah in Muslim Countries

Western Diplomat Rules Out Israeli War on Lebanon

Mustaqbal Doubts Authenticity of Remarks Attributed to Assad, Hariri Calls Assad

Aridi: Black Boxes Located under the Ethiopian Plane's Tail

European Official: Lebanon is Safe from Israeli Attacks during Next 3 Months

Sfeir Sends Jumblat Message

Qassem Rules Out War but Says Hizbullah Should be Ready

Jumblat Concerned over New Israeli War, Describes Situation as Madness

Hizbullah Cadres on Alert

U.S. Concern over Alleged Arms Smuggling, Repetition of 2006 Scenario

Suleiman Consulting with Officials on Reviving National Dialogue

International Review of UNIFIL Structure Amid Denial to Downsize it

Gilad: Israel's Anti-Missile System to Remain on Lebanon's Front

Jumblat Snaps Back at Lieberman: We Are with Syrian People, Leadership Above All Else

Sfeir: Possibilities of War Exist as Long as Hizbullah Wants to Play State Role

Cassese: Hariri Case Highly Complex

Suleiman: Lebanese Democratic System Among the Best in the World

Interior Ministry, USAID Sign MOU on Technical Support for Municipal Elections

Wahab Accuses Arslan of Murder Attempt, Tells Him Gone is Era of Dinosaurs

Army, Lebanese Forces at Loggerheads Over Alleged Torture of Minor

Geagea: March 14 will Carry On until Cedar Revolution Goals are Achieved

Libya Expects Suleiman to Participate in Arab Summit Despite Shiite Ire

Moussa: Fragile Mideast Situation Could Reflect on Lebanon

Agreement to Stop News Leaks on Dar al-Fatwa

Assad: Civil War in Lebanon Could Start in Days unless They Change the Whole System

Names of Lebanese Passengers Released from Plane Crash


Other Categories

Editorials
SpecialReports
Middle East
The World
Interview
Away From Politics
Lebanon Business
World Business
Culture
Lebanon Sports
World Sports
Technology
Health
Fringe


Comments

Please wait while we load the comments

Click to Comment
Recommend Readers' Comments to Promote Their Views