Religious and political leaders expressed support for Syria in the face of American pressure and threats, saying that was happening in Iraq, Palestine and other Arab and Muslim states was the result of "destructive policies." Metn MP Nassib Lahoud's Democratic Renewal Movement stated after its weekly meeting that parallel to the military domination of Iraq, the United States is using direct threats and pressure against Syria, with the aim of forcing Syria to cooperate with the US on Iraq and make concessions on other issues, notably the Arab-Israeli conflict. The movement affirmed its "solidarity with Syria in confronting the pressure and threats" and with the Arab position calling for a just and comprehensive settlement of the conflict with Israel. It added that Iraq should be helped to revive, determine its future and preserve its unity and independence. All foreign troops should be evacuated from Iraq as soon as possible and the issue should be referred back to the UN. All attention should focus on "relieving the human suffering that has not ceased despite the termination of the terrible dictatorial regime."

Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan, Vice-President of the Higher Shiite Council, at a meeting for religious leaders deplored the policy of "injustice, repression and killing" which he said had been followed in Iraq. He also condemned the policy of "subjugation to foreigners" that led to the loss of Palestine. He urged all Arabs and Muslims to adopt a "noble stand to save the people of Palestine who are afflicted by Zionist aggression and terrorism." Qabalan said that threats directed at Syria were threats against Lebanon and the Arab nation too. "Accordingly, any harm befalling Syria affects us all, and if Syria calls for volunteers we are fully ready to defend it," he said.

Chouf MP Walid Jumblatt called on Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir on Wednesday to give the new Cabinet a chance to prove itself. "I ask the Patriarch to overlook the discrepancies that accompanied the formation of the new Cabinet," Jumblatt said, referring to the prelate's complaints about Christian representation in ministerial posts. Speaking after receiving a delegation from Hezbollah at his home in Clemenceau, Beirut, he also asked Sfeir and other Lebanese leaders to "focus on the US attack on the region."

Baalbek-Hermel MP Ibrahim Amin Sayyed, who heads Hezbollah's politburo, said the party "will cooperate with the new Government to serve domestic and economic interests," in spite of the reservations he said the group had about the Cabinet's composition. | Return |

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