Damascus, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Monday discussed with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri the results of the recently held Damascus Arab Summit, and the Lebanese issues in particular.

President al-Assad reiterated Syria's support to dialogue among the Lebanese and national consensus as the only means to resolve the Lebanese crisis.

President al-Assad expressed Syria's readiness to present all possible assistance requested by the Lebanese to achieve security and stability in Lebanon.

The meeting was attended by Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, and Lebanese MP Ali Hassan Khalil.

Later, al-Shara resumed talks with Speaker Berri in the presence of Minister al-Moallem, MP Khalil and Assistant Vice President Mohammad Nassif.

In a statement to reporters, Speaker Berri affirmed that his visit to Syria was successful and gave a greater momentum towards the dialogue among the Lebanese to elect a new president.

He added that Syria "has no preconditions regarding inter-Lebanese understanding. Syria is a supporter to the dialogue, and is ready for every assistance asked from them…I say this specifically from Syria."

Speaker Berri said that his talks with President al-Assad gave priority to the Lebanese issue and Lebanese dialogue, a subject that was presented before the Arab Summit. "It was natural that I visit Damascus and meet Syrian officials, particularly President al-Assad, in order to discuss several issues, especially since the region is full of problems," Berri added. 

The Speaker pointed out to the dialogue at the Lebanese parliament on 2 March 2006, saying that "as you know resolutions regarding Lebanon and Syria were made…These resolutions were made under Syrian total absence…yet, Syria is now committed to these resolutions, including the diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria among other things." Speaker Berri said "there are two issues left to be discussed regarding this dialogue: the issue of a national government in the general meaning, namely forming a government with all details is not demanded…and also the issue of the electoral constituency and its relations to electoral law on which the elections would be held next spring 2009".

In response to a question, Speaker Berri said that Syria has influence on allies in  Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia has influence on allies in Lebanon as well. "I depended on this issue before Damascus Summit…I hoped the Summit would come up with a solution on Lebanon, but unfortunately Lebanon was absent, and subsequently the Lebanese issue wasn't discussed…so, through the dialogue, I want to complete the Arab initiative which was launched originally from the three-way inter-Lebanese dialogue: the elections of a President, a national unity government and an electoral law."

H. Sabbagh /  Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA