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Jumblat Warns Against Overthrowing the Assad Regime

Walid Jumblat has said from Moscow that Lebanon supports an "honest and fair investigation" into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, warning that politicizing the probe could destabilize the region.
Pressure has been mounting on Syria following the release of a U.N. report that concluded that it was unlikely Hariri could have been killed without senior Syrian approval. A U.N. resolution has also threatened unspecified action if Syria did not cooperate with the U.N. probe.

"We support an honest and fair investigation into Hariri's killing," said Jumblat after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

Jumblat also warned against attempts to topple the Assad regime and against anti-Syria international sanctions.

"The Iraqi experience shows how useless such sanctions are," he said. "The investigation mustn't lead to the escalation of tensions between the Syrian and Lebanese peoples."

He said Lebanese political forces agree that the probe into Hariri's killing should not be diverted to other issues.

"We want to know the truth and bring the culprits to justice, but that case mustn't undermine stability in the region," Jumblat said. "That is why it's very important to continue cooperation with Syria."

Jumblat earlier praised Russia for helping Syria avoid international sanctions stemming from the investigation.

"I'm against a regime change in Syria that hawks in the U.S. administration want," he said.

During the talks with Jumblat, Lavrov noted several positive developments in the region, including the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and parliamentary elections in Lebanon.

But, he said "Lebanese society can be fully stabilized only when the truth about the killing ... is found. From the very start, we actively have supported a just and unbiased investigation."

"We are satisfied that the U.N. Security Council has approved a well-balanced decision that does not divert the investigation, does not bring political elements that could destabilize Lebanon, Syria and the region as a whole," Lavrov said.

Soviet-era allies Russia and Syria have sought recently to bolster their relations.(AP)

Beirut, 04 Nov 05, 11:38


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