U.S. wants Syrian embassy in Beirut

4/7/2005 11:02:00 AM GMT

Washington repeated its calls for Syria to establish an embassy in Lebanon, a move the U.S. claims will help "normalize" relations between the two countries.

"We have always urged Syria to recognize Lebanon as a separate and independent state and to establish an embassy there," A State Department spokesperson said.

During a press conference held in Lebanon yesterday, UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen said he welcomed the establishment of "diplomatic relations" between Lebanon and Syria and insisted the Shebaa farms are Syrian, not Lebanese.

"The UN Security Council took a unanimous decision on the matter. Let me stress on the word unanimous, and allow me to remind you that the Security Council is the highest international authority, and its decisions and resolutions are binding to UN state members. These decisions should be respected," he said.

"The UN considers the Security Council's Resolution 425 implemented, as Israel has completely withdrawn from the Lebanese territories," he added.

Outside the building where the press conference was held, several Lebanese citizens, from Shebaa and Hasbaya, held a protest waving Lebanese passports and title deeds for parts of the disputed land and calling for the UN to reconsider.

Shebaa Farms is a disputed area on the border between Lebanon, Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had said the disputed land was an issue to be discussed between the related countries - Lebanon, Israel and Syria.

Syria has maintained silence on the issue, but Lebanon's outgoing Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud insisted this week the land is Lebanese.

During his visit to Beirut which ends tomorrow, Larsen met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, as well a number of top officials, including opposition leader Walid Jumblatt, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Surete Generale director general Major General Jamil Sayyed, Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh, and Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami.

Larsen also met with Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir prior to the Patriarch's departure for Rome to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Larsen, moreover, reiterated that disarming Hezbollah Resistance Movement, included in the UN 1559 Resolution, was no longer on his "action agenda."

"Currently, we have other priorities," Larsen said.

Hezbollah has strongly rejected the UN call to disarm even after the Shebaa Farms are liberated, saying there is a necessity to stay armed to defend the region against the Israeli threats.

Speaking earlier in the week a party politburo member, Ghaleb Abou Zeinab, said: "Hezbollah’s arms are here to protect Lebanon from any Israeli attack and create a balance of terror in the face of Israel."

Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad suggested transforming Hezbollah’s military wing into reserves for the Lebanese Army.

"Hezbollah’s arms will be discussed between all Lebanese parties to find the best solution for it,” Raad said Tuesday during an interview with a local television channel.

"Hezbollah feels that it is a national matter that has to be agreed upon between the Lebanese themselves, and not the U.S. or the UN through its envoy Larsen," he added.