Friday, March 21, 2008

As Tensions Rise in Lebanon, Residents Again Fear the Worst

In the WaPo, here
"....Abdullah, once considered Syria's closest ally among the Saudis, dispatched Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal in February to Washington, Paris, London, Berlin and Moscow to ask for a united stand on Lebanon and continued pressure against Syria, said U.S. and Saudi officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Saudi intelligence chief, meanwhile, went to Beijing and Persian Gulf countries to seek cooperation, the officials said. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and even Russia -- an ally and arms supplier to Syria -- all have informed Syria that the world holds it responsible for ending Lebanon's internal crisis, officials said...."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

What the so-called 'experts' on Lebanon fail to realize and understand is that Syria does not have the leverage over its allies as one may believe. Syria's allies in Lebanon have their own agenda and cannot be pressured as people think.
On the other hand, there is an inherent contradiction in these 'efforts'. The so-called international community condemns Syria for its 'interventions' in Lebanon. Yet it is pressuring Syria to 'intervene'!!! I guess some interventions are welcome when theys suit Israel and the White House.
On another tack, why is it that Saudi Arabia has little influence on its allies in Lebanon? The latter have spoiled agreements engineered by Riyad without remorse!
Some world!