Hariri: Substitute For Lebanon and Syria Is A Different Roadmap

     Al-Hayat     2003/07/30

Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri reiterated his government's stance from the Roadmap, the plan that Washington presented to the Palestinian and Israeli parties in the aim of achieving peace in the Middle East. Hariri believes that the substitute for Lebanon and Syria is "a different program, parallel to the Palestinian Roadmap."

Hariri made a statement following his discussions yesterday with British Premier Tony Blair, at 10, Downing Street. According to the Lebanese Premier, the meeting was "good and addressed bilateral relations as well as the peace process in the region."

When asked why Lebanon and Syria were not involved in the Roadmap, he replied: "The media addressed this issue vaguely." He added: "The Palestinians have their own Roadmap, and their situation differs from that of Syria and Lebanon, both of which cannot join this Roadmap, and should have their own program." According to him, "the substitute is a different program."

Hariri had met with the president of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, who was in London. The Lebanese Minister of Finance Fouad Siniora also attended the meeting, and they discussed relations between Lebanon and the Bank. Hariri also met with the mayor of London, who hosted a dinner in his honor, in the presence of political and social personalities.