Syria’s Deputy Premier and foreign minister, Farouk Al-Sharaa stressed the need to reach a just and comprehensive settlement in the Middle East region, based on the total Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands up to the June 4, 1967 lines, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and the rights of the Palestinian refugees to return, in conformity with U.N resolution 194, SANA news agency reported.
During an interview given to the MBC-TV station, al Sharaa indicated that renouncing one of these rights "will not bring us back to zero point only but even to beneath this point" "Any peace in the region will not be established without Syria and Lebanon" Al-Sharaa made clear.
Al-Sharaa also hailed the resistance of the Palestinian People in facing up to the Israeli aggression against Palestinian cities and villages.
He asserted that the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon did not bring about security to the Israelis, in spite of his multiple promises, and added that, "peace can't be established without security, which Sharon has failed to achieve".
Al-Sharaa conveyed that he had demanded the adjournment of his visit to Washington, saying every visit should have its objective and useful results.
With regards to the proposal on convening an international conference, Al- Sharaa said Damascus had clearly defined its position at the security council and through speeches made by Syrian President Bashar Al- Assad prior to the Beirut summit, adding that Syria "will not accept to return to a period of ten years without any result". He also added that, "negotiation should have their timetable". (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
