Spain obtains Syria pledge to broker peace in Middle East 03/08/2006 00:00

3 August 2006

MADRID – Spain’s foreign minister says he has secured a promise from Syria that it will do all it can to help resolve the conflict in the Lebanon.

The USA has accused Syria of collaborating with the Lebanese terrorist movement Hizbullah which captured two Israeli soldiers on 12 July, sparking off military action by Israel.

On Thursday, Spain’s Miguel Angel Moratinos met with Syrian president Bachar el Assad for talks. At a press conference afterwards, he said the Syrian leaders were "going to exercise all their influence on Hizbullah, but the circumstances and the political and military context in the Lebanon has to change", he said.

"Both Syria and Spain believe there is no military solution", he said.

Moratinos was asked whether his visit was aimed at bringing Syria out of its diplomatic isolation. He replied that it was "positive to again have contact with Syria".

Moratinos’ visit follows a visit to Beirut where he held talks with the Lebanese prime minister Fuad Siniora and with the president of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, who also represents Hizbullah. He also met ministers from Egypt.

Moratinos said it was too "premature" to say whether Spain would commit to a multinational peace-keeping force in the Lebanon.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news