Lebanon Not to Take Sides in Syria Civil War, PM Mitaki States in Bulgaria

Politics » DIPLOMACY | November 5, 2012, Monday // 19:03
Bulgaria: Lebanon Not to Take Sides in Syria Civil War, PM Mitaki States in Bulgaria

Lebanon will not take sides in the deadly conflict in neighbouring Syria, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said Monday during a visit to Bulgaria.

"Lebanon is firmly resolved not to take anyone's side in Syria. This has to do with our own stability and security so Lebanon is not in any way interfering in Syria's internal affairs," Mikati told a news conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

"We hope that the international community will understand Lebanon's position in this extremely difficult and delicate moment," Mitaki added.

Mikati's cabinet – dominated by powerful Syrian ally Hezbollah – has already come under fire from the opposition, which accuses it of complicity with the regime of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has pressed it to resign.

Calls for Mikati to quit were also spurred by a massive car bombing in central Beirut on October 19 that killed three people including a top security official, in an attack the opposition blamed on Syria and its allies in Lebanon.

"I explained to the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian government that Lebanon has firmed decided not to take any sides in Syria. This has to do with the security and stability of Lebanon. Our country is not interfering in Syria's domestic affairs in any way. We hope that the international community will be understanding of our position," the Lebanese PM told reporters in Sofia.

"It is important for us that Lebanon remain stable and that the conflict in Syria doesn't get transferred into Lebanon because this will destabilize the entire region. We are firm that the bloodshed in Syria must stop," Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov stated.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since the attempt for an Arab Spring-type revolution there against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011.

The civil war in Syria has already claimed more than 35 000 lives, while hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the country.

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