By Xinhua
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday reiterated support to dialogue among the Lebanese, saying national consensus is the only means to resolve the political crisis in neighboring Lebanon.
Assad made the remarks while meeting with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri on the results of the recently held Arab summit in Damascus, particularly the Lebanese issue, the official SANA news agency reported.
Assad expressed Syria’s readiness to present all possible assistance requested by the Lebanese to achieve security and stability in Lebanon, SANA said.
Berri, a key member of the Syrian-backed Lebanese opposition, appeared upbeat after the talks, telling reporters that “this visit has given us a new momentum to dialogue among the Lebanese and elect a new president.”
“Syria has no preconditions regarding inter-Lebanese understanding. Syria is a supporter to the dialogue, and is ready for every assistance asked from them,” Berri added, saying the Lebanese issue and the Lebanese dialogue were on top of his talks with Assad.
The Lebanese speaker also stressed the importance to support an Arab initiative aimed at resolving the Lebanese crisis.
Lebanon is currently enmeshed in the most serious political deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war, where the presidential seat has been vacant since last November when former President Emile Lahoud stepped down.
A long-awaited parliamentary session to elect a new president to succeed Lahoud has been postponed for 17 times till April 22 as rival parties could not iron out their differences.
On Jan. 6, the 22-member Arab League endorsed the Arab initiative in Cairo, calling for the immediate election of Army commander Michel Suleiman as president, formation of a national unity government and adoption of a new election law.
The Lebanese rivals have agreed on the election of Suleiman, but still disputed over the make-up of a cabinet after his election and the law governing a general election scheduled for 2009.
Saudi Arabia, together with Egypt, supports the majority led by Saad Hariri in the Lebanese parliament while Damascus and its ally Tehran back the Lebanese opposition led by the Shiite Hezbollah movement.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan sent only low-level delegations to the recent Damascus Arab summit in a snub to Syria, which is blamed of blocking the presidential election in Lebanon, an allegation denied by Damascus. Lebanon boycotted the summit, sending no one here.