Naharnet

Suleiman Calls on Lebanese Not to Meddle in Syrian Crisis

President Michel Suleiman urged on Wednesday the Lebanese not to interfere in the developments in the neighboring country Syria, calling on officials to end the strong rhetoric and on the media to focus on the importance of dialogue.

He called the Lebanese on focusing on the importance of neutrality and not to meddle in the crisis in Syria.

“It's not our duty to arm any of the rival parties in Syria,” Suleiman pointed out.

He reiterated calls to adopt the Baabda Declaration that the the cabinet and the parties that participated in the national dialogue agreed on.

In the Baabda Declaration, 16 political leaders from both the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition agreed to avoid rhetoric that fuels sectarian incitement.

They also pledged to consolidate stability to prevent the country from descending into strife.

The lingering political crisis in Lebanon has increased the rift between the March 14 alliance, which backs the revolt in Syria, and the March 8 coalition, which supports the Damascus regime, after the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Wissam al-Hasan on October 19.

The opposition boycotted political activity with its foes after it blamed Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government of covering up the crime, calling on it to step down, and said it would not sit at the same dialogue table with Hizbullah.


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/63418