Ha’aretz reports:
Lebanese opposition members have asked Israel to encourage the United States to pressure Syria into withdrawing its troops from Lebanon.In the wake of recent diplomatic activity aimed at getting Syria to withdraw its military forces from Lebanon, a top Syrian envoy headed Friday to Moscow to discuss the step with Russian officials.Lebanese figures contacted Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz’s advisor, Uri Lubrani, among other officials in Jerusalem, and indicated they were determined to keep struggling against the Syrian presence in Lebanon but need American support.—-Senior officials at the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s office were in touch with Lebanese leaders even before the current crisis.—-The Lebanese opposition figures indicated to officials in Jerusalem that they have no claims from Israel whatsoever. They also said they don’t understand Hezbollah’s insistence to perpetuate conflict over the Shaba Farms. This small area near the Lebanon-Israel border remained in Israeli hand after its withdrawal from the southern Lebanon security zone in 2000.
Isn’t it interesting how once a tyranny’s grip on an Arab country weakens or is broken, and democracy starts to take hold, one of the first countries that the liberated country contacts is Israel?
Just in case you thought Israel was the problem in this area of the world.
