Mansour Denies Dispute with Suleiman, Describes Relations 'Excellent'

Caretaker Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said that the ties with President Michel Suleiman are “excellent,” denying that there is a sharp dispute with the president despite the difference in points of view over certain issues.

“Coordination is ongoing with the President despite all the attempts to create a rift between us,” Mansour said in comment published in al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Suleiman handed U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly a memo on the Syrian violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

Suleiman's move came amid a spat with Mansour who was procrastinating in referring the memo to the U.N. and filing a complaint with the Arab League.

However, Mansour denied to al-Joumhouria reports saying that he “rebelled” on Suleiman.

“He is the president of the country and I am aware of the norms that govern our relations and I don't surpass them... Although we have different opinions over some matters,” Mansour said.

An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday that Mansour “pretended to be studying the nature of the complaint,” stalling the President's decision.

Sources close to the President that Suleiman's move was to “preserve Lebanon's right.”

Mansour, who is close to the Hizbullah-led March 8 alliance, has been criticized by the March 14 coalition on several occasions for ignoring similar requests from Suleiman.

Syrian regime troops have also carried out attacks on border areas, mainly air raids on the northeastern town of Arsal, which has become an escape route for rebels and people running away from the fighting in Syria.