Syrian Leader Denies Meddling in Lebanon Politics

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has defended his country against accusations it is interfering in Lebanon’s political affairs, in comments at Saturday’s opening of the Arab League summit.

Mr. Assad said to the contrary, Syria has been under pressure for more than a year to intervene in Lebanese affairs. He said the key to political stability is in the hands of the Lebanese themselves.

The Syrian president welcomed delegations from the 22-member Arab League gathered at the forum in Syria’s capital, Damascus.

Nearly a dozen heads of state are not attending the forum, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, all close allies of the United States. They have accused Syria of interfering in Lebanon’s political affairs.

Mr. Siniora says Damascus is obstructing his country’s attempts to elect a new head of state.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since November, when former President Emile Lahoud’s term expired. The parliament postponed its vote on a new president several times, due to a continuing deadlock between the Western-backed governing coalition and the Syrian-backed opposition. The two sides have not been able to agree on a power-sharing arrangement for a new government.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa says all important matters, including Lebanon’s political strife, will be up for discussion at the summit.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

by VOA News

Net News Publisher