Lebanese President Emile Lahoud arrived here today for a brief working visit. During his stay, he will hold talks with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Al-Assad, to discuss the latest developments in the region and coordinate their response. According to Syrian political sources, the summit talks between the two presidents will primarily focus on the situation in Iraq and the broader Middle East region, particularly the occupied Palestinian territories. They will also address the threats targeting Syria and Lebanon, as well as the consequences of the recently passed Syrian Accountability Act by the U.S. Senate. The discussions will involve coordinating their stance on these issues and reviewing the Arab and international contacts made by each party regarding regional developments.
Syria emphasized the significance of the summit ahead of President Lahoud’s visit. Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam stressed the necessity and importance of the meeting, considering the current circumstances in the region and the need to discuss matters of mutual interest. During their talks, the two presidents will address the proposals they have previously rejected, specifically the settlement of Palestinian refugees in the host countries. In this context, Syrian media sources revealed that the Syrian Foreign Minister, Farouq al-Shara, and the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Obeid, discussed the risks associated with refugee settlement and affirmed their commitment to the right of return. The sources emphasized that this urgent issue “appears to be another project being imposed during the difficult circumstances faced by the Arab nation.”
The Syrian government newspaper, Tishreen, reiterated today that the settlement issue is rejected in the Arab region for several reasons. Firstly, the Arab countries hosting the refugees have maintained their national identity and regulated their presence on a temporary basis. Secondly, the issue is grounded in human rights principles and international resolutions, most notably Resolution 194. Thirdly, the Palestinians themselves refuse to compromise on the right of return. Finally, the newspaper highlighted that the settlement campaign not only targets the Palestinian cause but also aims to harm Lebanon and Syria. It called upon Arabs to be vigilant and thwart the aggressive goals of this impending danger before it is too late.
