From Damascus to Damascus and between Beirut and Damascus. The acting Prime Minister, Dr. Salim al-Hoss, returned last night from the Syrian capital, which he visited in the morning. He met with the Vice President of Syria, Mr. Abdul-Halim Khaddam. Today, the Speaker of the Parliament, Hussein al-Husseini, is heading to Damascus in response to an invitation conveyed to him by the head of the Syrian monitoring team, Brigadier Ali Hamoud, who had conveyed a similar invitation to Prime Minister al-Hoss. It is expected that al-Husseini will meet with both the President of the People’s Council, Abdul Qader Qadoura, and Mr. Abdul-Halim Khaddam.
Supposedly, a phone call took place yesterday afternoon between the President of the Republic, Sheikh Amine Gemayel, and the Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. The phone call and the visits of al-Hoss and al-Husseini are part of the follow-up to and implementation of the results of the meeting between the two presidents in Algeria.
It is learned that Khaddam briefed President Hoss on the atmosphere of the Algerian meeting and the topics discussed. President Hoss expressed his views, especially regarding the government issue, emphasizing that he is not in favor of a new government. He reiterated, in Khaddam’s presence, what he had conveyed to President Gemayel through intermediaries, stating that he is not seeking to stay in power. However, he assured Khaddam of his support for any Lebanese-Syrian rapprochement that would contribute to the interest of stability and understanding in Lebanon and enhance Lebanese-Syrian relations. This would also facilitate the presidential elections.
Western sources believe that the talk about the government is somewhat exaggerated, and while the issue was raised between Presidents Gemayel and Assad, it has not been definitively settled yet.
Sources from Damascus were quoted as saying that the overly optimistic atmosphere is exaggerated but does not bother the Syrians, as they might use it politically.
