Last update - 00:00 07/11/2006
Lebanese PM denies report of possible meeting with Olmert
By DPA
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said late Monday that remarks made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about a possible meeting between the two leaders are "baseless."
Siniora was referring to news reports that Olmert was arranging a meeting with him.
A statement issued by Siniora's office denied the meeting and said "lately the Israeli enemy and through various means or Israeli newspapers is reporting such baseless reports."
"It is very clear that the aim of the Israeli reports is to hit the national unity inside Lebanon and also to convince the (Lebanese) people that such a meeting is being worked on," the statement said.
"We believe that the enemy's premier is trying to hide his political and military failure in Lebanon by sending such press balloons," the statement said.
The statement reiterated that Lebanon will be the last Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel.
"The Israeli premier instead of making up such unfounded news should withdraw from Shaba Farms," it said.
The area known as Shaba Farms was taken by Israel from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. Today, Lebanon claims the farms are Lebanese territories and should be returned, while Israel says they are Syrian and their fate should be discussed in future peace talks with Damascus.