Jordan Times
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Kingdom welcomes
beginning of Syrian withdrawal — spokesperson
By Mahmoud Al Abed
AMMAN — The government on Monday welcomed Syria's decision to begin withdrawing
from Lebanon, describing it as an “apt move that was made at a critical time.”
“Jordan welcomes Syria's declared commitment to implement the UN Resolution 1559
and the Taef accord by withdrawing from Lebanon,” Government Spokesperson Asma
Khader told a weekly press briefing.
The decision, she said, “appropriately responds to the requirements of the
current critical stage and is likely to spare Syria the negative repercussions
that might ensue in case it failed to comply with international legitimacy.”
The 16-year-old accord, which paved the way for the end of Lebanon's 1975-90
civil war, stipulates that any Damascus pullout would begin with a redeployment
to the Beqaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, bordering Syria.
But the text also lays down no specific timetable for a final pullout from the
Beqaa.
“We do not interfere in [Lebanon's] internal affairs. It was Syria's decision,”
Khader said when she was asked to comment on pro-Syria Lebanese groups'
criticism of Foreign Minister Hani Mulki's recent statements on the issue. “Our
stand is clear: We call for implementing all international resolutions with no
exception.”
Mulki was quoted by Israeli news reports as saying that the time was “ripe for
Syria to implement 1559 if it wants the world with it in forcing Israel to
implement 242,” which calls for Israel to withdraw from territories occupied in
1967.