Al Manar TV
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem confirmed that an embassy would be established in Lebanon by year's end, noting that the appointment of an ambassador would take place gradually.
Moallem said that the head of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc MP Michel Aoun "came to Syria to write a new white page together with President Bashar Assad." Moallem, however, said it was premature to talk about the outcome of Aoun's visit.
He also reiterated that the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms area belongs to Lebanon. Moallem revealed that Syria's representative to the UN had presented documents that prove Shebaa Farms belongs to Lebanon.
"Shebaa Farms are Lebanese. It is not an issue between Lebanon and Syria. Occupation is the issue," Moallem said. He rejected calls to demarcate Shebaa Farms at the time being, saying those who demand demarcation "are defending continuation of the Israeli occupation."
The Syrian minister, meanwhile, said that Aoun's current visit to Syria will certainly enhance his popularity. "Aoun's visit to Syria will boost his popularity because he is honest," he said. "We are friendly brothers with Gen. Aoun because there are common traits between him and President (Bashar) Assad -- honesty, credibility and devotion to the Lebanese people in Lebanon and to the Syrians in Syria," Moallem emphasized.
He described as "a success" a recent visit by Interior Minister Ziad Baroud to Syria. "Some people in Lebanon, however, who are committed to pursuing their own political agenda, don't care about the interest of the Lebanese people," Moallem complained.
In response to a question, Muallem said Assad has received Lebanese army commander Jean Kahwaji in his capacity as commander in chief of the Syrian army and armed forces. Moallem said Assad will also receive Defense Minister Elias Murr if he should visit Syria.
Regarding missing Lebanese in Syrian jails, Moallem stressed that a committee made up of judges "has stepped up its work to reach a settlement on the issue."
"Concerning those (Lebanese) convicted, there should be an exchange agreement between Lebanon and Syria," he argued.
He said there is no disagreement between France and Syria over Lebanon's sovereignty or the international tribunal, stressing that Damascus "rejects any deal at the expense of any Arab country."
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Syria backs Lebanon on Shebaa Farms
Press TV
The Syrian foreign minister says Damascus has presented evidence, proving the Lebanese ownership of the Shebaa Farms occupied by Israel.
In an interview with the Lebanese OTV channel on Thursday, Walid all-Muallem reiterated Syria's support for Lebanon's ownership of the Shebas Farms but ruled out marking boundaries in the region before Israel had fully withdrawn its forces from the region.
Syria's Ambassador to the UN Bashar Ja'afari has presented the documents which prove the Shebaa Farms belong to Lebanon, the foreign minister said.
Muallem further re-called a plan he had proposed to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in 2006 to allow international peacekeeping forces temporarily stay in the occupied land until the Israeli occupied Golan Heights are returned to Syria.
Michael Aoun, the leader of Free Patriotic Movement, intended to write a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations, but that it was too early to talk about the outcome of the negotiations, Muallem said referring to a recent visit to Syria by Aoun.
Bilateral ties between the two neighbors have been experiencing better days since Lebanese President Michel Suleiman's visit to Syria in July as part of efforts to normalize ties between the two states, which were restored on October 14.
In a Mediterranean summit in Paris, Suleiman said Beirut and Damascus were likely to exchange ambassadors by the end of 2008 to put an end to years of animosity following the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Muallem announced on Thursday that the Syrian embassy in Beirut would open before the end of the year, but added that installing an ambassador would need more time.
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