Naharnet - Syrian Ambassador Says Hariri's Remarks Important Step that Must Be Completed by Tackling False Witnesses Issue - September 17, 2010

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali has stressed that "Syria is optimistic about Lebanon moving forward in terms of tackling the false witnesses issue, especially after Prime Minister Saad Hariri's remarks to the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper."
Ali described Hariri's remarks as "an important step that must be completed to unveil the truth in this regard and put things right as to the sides and people who were harmed by the false witnesses and their testimonies."

"This thing is possible in case of serious cooperation by those concerned," he added.

In an interview with the Hizbullah-affiliated al-Intiqad electronic newspaper, the Syrian ambassador said that his country was optimistic "regarding the future situations in Lebanon in light of the dedication and keenness of national and political figures, topped by President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Premier Saad Hariri, and of course the responsible policy practiced by the Resistance under the leadership of Hizbullah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah."

"Ali declined to respond to the recent campaigns of March 14 Christians against Syria, in particular that of MP Nadim Gemayel, saying that these campaigns are not worthy of a response, because they reflect the hardship of groups encircled by frustration over the failure of their bids on schemes that have proved failure and reached a dead end," al-Intiqad added.

Answering a question on the rumored trembling of the Syrian-Saudi understanding regarding Lebanon, Ali said: "Syrian-Saudi coordination is good and ongoing, and Syria is optimistic about the future of Lebanese national consensus and the preservation of the integration of the army, the people and the Resistance."

The Syrian ambassador called for "supporting the Resistance due to the guarantee it represents for Lebanon's independence and the deterrence of Israeli ambitions and threats."