Syrian envoy takes issue with Annan report on Syria-Lebanon ties
AFP
Date: 05-01-06
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - Syria has criticized a report from UN chief Kofi Annan on Syrian-Lebanese ties, charging that it oversteps the mandate of a UN Security Council resolution on the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, according to a letter released here.
In the letter dated April 24 to Annan and the Security Council, Syria's UN deputy representative Milad Atieh said the report "has exceeded the mandate provided in Security Council resolution 1559" passed in 2004.
Annan's report focused in particular on calls for establishment of formal diplomatic ties between Beirut and Damascus as well as on the demarcation of their common border to uphold Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.
"The issue of establishing or not establishing embassies between the two countries is a matter that falls within the domestic jurisdiction of both countries, and can be agreed on when the environment prevailing in relations between the two countries allows such steps," the letter said.
It also warned against adopting new resolutions that would heighten instability in Lebanon or the region.
"Pushing the Security Council by some parties to adopt new resolutions or statements will not lead to calming the situation in Lebanon or the region but, on the contrary, will escalate the situation of instability and tension," the letter noted.
France said last week it was preparing a draft resolution that would urge Syria to respond to Lebanon's call for establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two neighbors and for a demarcation of the common border.
France's UN envoy Jean-Marc de La Sabliere said he was consulting with other members of the Security Council and hoped to have a text ready early this week.
Syria's letter also dismissed suggestions in the report prepared by Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN envoy tasked with settling the Syrian-Lebanese dispute, of "uncertainty about the withdrawal of the Syrian intelligence apparatus from Lebanon."
"Syria would like to reaffirm once again that all its troops, military assets and security apparatus withdrew from Lebanon on April 26, 2005" as demanded in Security Council resolution 1559, it said.
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