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Last update - 08:30 24/12/2008
U.S. tells Israel: Don't forsake Lebanon for peace with Syria
By Barak Ravid
Tags: peace talks, Syria 

Senior U.S. State Department officials sent concerned messages to their Israeli counterparts in recent months regarding the negative effects an Israel-Syria peace deal could have on Lebanese sovereignty.

"Don't sell Lebanon to the Syrians," American officials reportedly wrote.

The diplomatic messages asked Israel to remain committed to Lebanese sovereignty at all costs, stating "Israel must not sacrifice Lebanon for the sake of peace with Syria." A senior Foreign Ministry official said the U.S. even asked Israel for "guarantees" on the matter.
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However, a source in the Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday "the matter is not even on the table."

Political sources in Jerusalem said the Americans' concerns stemmed from a number of recent statements made by Israeli officials in closed forums to the effect that only Syria is capable of restraining the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Michael Herzog, Defense Minister Ehud Barak's chief of staff, was the last Israeli official to speak in such terms, saying at a Washington forum several weeks ago that "in the framework of a peace deal, Israel has to recognize Syria's unique position in Lebanon."

Some U.S. officials took that statement to be a seal of approval for renewing Syrian control over Lebanon. Herzog added that Lebanese democracy lacks a firm foundation and that the country is effectively run by Hezbollah and its allies.

Syria withdrew its 14,000 troops from Lebanon in April 2005 in the wake of UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which condemned Damascus for its alleged connection to the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri in February of that year.

Several points of conflict remain between Washington and Jerusalem over the issue of Lebanon and Syria. Israeli officials believe the incoming U.S. administration will take positions similar to those of previous administrations and bolster the Lebanese government of Fouad Siniora, particularly ahead of the country's 2009 parliamentary elections.

Political sources in Jerusalem said the U.S. is placing significant pressure on Israel to complete its withdrawal from the border village of Ghajar before the Lebanese elections in order to strengthen the Siniora government.

Such sentiments were expressed by David Hale, the State Department's envoy on Lebanon and a former U.S. ambassador to Jordan, during a visit to Israel several days ago.

During meetings, Israeli officials told Hale the issue of Ghajar must be handled by the Lebanese government alone, as must violations of UN Security Council 1701, which called for Hezbollah's disarmament and the removal of paramilitary forces south of the Litani River.

Hale reportedly responded undiplomatically, saying, "Withdrawal from Ghajar is something you must do. You are not doing this for us, but implementing the demarcation of the Blue Line [Israel-Lebanon border], so don't try to use this to get points or sympathy from the United States."

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decided several weeks ago to begin talks with UN officials over withdrawal from the village. On Sunday, UN envoy Michael Williams met with Israel Defense Forces and Foreign Ministry representatives before flying to Beirut to meet with Siniora.

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      1.   Lebanon is not israels to sell. 04:12  |  Sayid 24/12/08
      2.   everyone needs to accept the fact 04:28  |  Arie 24/12/08
      3.   Note - Neither Israel or US Own Lebanon 04:58  |  Mark of Lewiston 24/12/08
      4.   ISRAEL SHOULD DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ISRAEL 05:09  |  Arik Silverman 24/12/08
      5.   Lebanon Belongs To Syria _ It`s Historically Part And Parcel 05:26  |  Eli 24/12/08
      6.   Neither Syria nor Iran owns Golan Heights. 05:48  |  Magnify 24/12/08
      7.   sayid wake up 06:34  |  shimmy 24/12/08
      8.   If Israel sells out Lebanon, I guess Obama can sell out Israel 07:30  |  Jimmy Dhimmi 24/12/08
      9.   I couldn`t agree more with #4 07:37  |  David Cohen 24/12/08
      10.   Don`t dream 08:00  |  tom 24/12/08
      11.   Arik Silverman _ Hogwash 08:07  |  Eli 24/12/08
      12.   U.S`s Nonsense! As Lebanon names first ambassador to Syria. 08:55  |  JustMe 24/12/08
      13.   #3, Mark of Lewiston, Iran owns Lebanon 09:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/12/08
      14.   #3, Mark of Lewiston on Ariel Sharon 09:54  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/12/08
      15.   17 can change to 71 10:10  |  Capt Ahab 24/12/08
      16.   Forsake them! Forsake them! 10:14  |  MarkC 24/12/08
      17.   US, irresponsible statement 10:26  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/12/08
      18.   If the US sells Lebanon weapons that obviously will go to Hizboll 10:34  |  To Jimmy Dhimmi 24/12/08
      19.   David Hale on UNSCR 1701 10:34  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/12/08
      20.   #9, David Cohen, "The Party is over" 10:41  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 24/12/08
      21.   Nosey parkers and optical delusions 11:54  |  sh 24/12/08
      22.   No cohones 12:03  |  ScotGuy 24/12/08
      23.   why would israel care what happens to lebanon 12:04  |  greengold 24/12/08
      24.   assad you have our permission to keep lebanon 12:05  |  giora eiland 24/12/08
      25.   # 3 to mark lincoln re: sharon 12:08  |  eric 24/12/08
      26.   we wont sell lebanon to syria 12:10  |  haim barlev 24/12/08
      27.   lebanon is in fact syrian territory 12:12  |  dan laner 24/12/08
      28.   Arik Silverman, try to sort out dual loyalty 12:13  |  Rafael of Sydney 24/12/08
      29.   israel made a huge mistake 12:17  |  yaalon 24/12/08
      30.   david hale is rude because we take american money 12:21  |  avraham yoffe 24/12/08
      31.   Mark of Lewiston #3 A very pertinent point 12:23  |  Roo 24/12/08
      32.   lebanon is divided into several groups 12:29  |  yarom yair 24/12/08
      33.   eric `the courage to withdraw` 12:34  |  Roo 24/12/08
      34.   giora barlev harzion #24 #26 12:36  |  Multiple P Disorder 24/12/08
      35.   re 6, Syria is the ONLY true owner of Golan 12:50  |  Sayid 24/12/08
      36.   lol, ur comments are laughable 12:58  |  Fadi 24/12/08
      37.   Exercising property rights 12:58  |  Samar 24/12/08
      38.   LEBANON is not syria and will never be 13:15  |  Jad 24/12/08
      39.   most of u are ignorant 13:27  |  Elie 24/12/08
      40.   what is bad for lebanon is bad for israel 13:39  |  exfriend 24/12/08
      41.   roo "once israel returns the golan" 14:03  |  yirmi 24/12/08
      42.   roo "peace benefit" 14:05  |  avraham adan 24/12/08
      43.   roo israel has no other interest in lebanon 14:09  |  israel tal 24/12/08
      44.   roo forget the road map and forget annapolis 14:14  |  haim erez 24/12/08
      45.   roo settlements 14:17  |  dov weisglass 24/12/08
      46.   fadi a nickel for your thoughts 14:19  |  israel granit 24/12/08
      47.   Ghajar...is an Arab village in Greater Israel 14:21  |  r 24/12/08
      48.   jad we feel sorry for you and we sympathise 14:23  |  uri ben ari 24/12/08
      49.   elie you are right but syria is too strong in lebanon 14:25  |  uri ben ari 24/12/08
      50.   committed to Lebanese sovereignty at all costs 14:59  |  a wandering Jew 24/12/08
      51.   The Bush junta is out of touch with Lebanon 15:31  |  Mark Lincoln 24/12/08
      52.   israel was kicked out of lebanon... and syria too 15:35  |  northern neighbor 24/12/08
      53.   don`t forsake yourself 15:58  |  4 ..... sake 24/12/08
      54.   Elli I wish you well but What Elections \39 16:04  |  Samar 24/12/08
      55.   Peace with Syria is Impossible and Lebanon is Dead 16:05  |  UsedToPostHere 24/12/08
      56.   Israel must do what is best to have a comprehensive peace! 16:05  |  The Bedouin 24/12/08
      57.   That`s like saying "don`t forsake Hizbullah"Hizbullah now control 17:13  |  glenna 24/12/08
      58.   13/14 Cipora - Reread My Post 18:44  |  Mark of Lewiston 24/12/08
      59.   Meanwhile, back in Lebanon 20:01  |  Mark Lincoln 24/12/08
      60.   At least someone listens to the U.N 20:03  |  Steve J 24/12/08
      61.   Where did you get such a silly idea Glenna 20:48  |  Mark Lincoln 24/12/08
      62.   If Israel had suffered the same degree of destruction 21:05  |  American 24/12/08
      63.   Capt Ahab 15 21:32  |  ChanahS 24/12/08
      64.   Sayid 35 - in all its history the Golan 21:36  |  ChanahS 24/12/08
      65.   george B`s fantasy, a democratic Lebanon. No such animal. It will 23:18  |  Steve -nyc 24/12/08
      66.   Lebanon is owned by Iran. 23:19  |  Jack 24/12/08
      67.   israel`s policy in lebanon is bankrupt 00:36  |  fouad 25/12/08
      68.   Hale "undiplomatic"? No, he`s just an arrogant pr***. 01:26  |  Raymond in DC 25/12/08
      69.   Do not `forsake` Lebanon? 02:56  |  Mark Lincoln 25/12/08
      70.   Dont talk Israel 08:33  |  Paul 25/12/08
      71.   Peace with Lebanon 09:00  |  Paul 25/12/08
      72.   Sell your Soul 09:23  |  Paul 25/12/08
      73.   # 33 to re: sharon 10:36  |  eric 25/12/08
      74.   re: Paul 19:30  |  UsedToPostHere 25/12/08
      75.   No Middle East Munich - DON`T Forsake Lebanon 21:20  |  Eric S 25/12/08
      76.   More Reasons NOT to Forsake Lebanon 21:44  |  Eric S 25/12/08
      77.   DON`T Forsake Lebanon 22:16  |  Eric S 25/12/08
      78.   For Paul 04:23  |  Eric S 26/12/08
      79.   Lebanon Is LEBENESE for god sake!! 00:19  |  Matar 27/12/08
      80.   lebanon 06:25  |  malek 30/12/08
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