Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., February 20, 2008 Adar1 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:55 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora. (Reuters) Last update - 15:09 16/02/2008 Lebanese PM: 'Open war' on Israel would harm Hezbollah By DPA Tags: Fuad Siniora, Israel  Lebanon's western-backed Prime Minister Fuad Siniora said that Lebanon has no interest in declaring an "open war" on Israel as this would harm Hezbollah in addition to the Islamic and Arab causes, Lebanese reports quoted him Saturday as saying. "I don't believe we have an interest to wage an open war worldwide because this would be harmful to Hezbollah as well as to the Islamic and Arab causes," Siniora was quoted as telling the Lebanese satellite channel Future TV. "We have had an earlier experience. We must not repeat this experience," Siniora said in reference to the July 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Advertisement In his remarks, Siniora echoed Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who on Thursday declared "open war" on Israel after accusing Jerusalem of masterminding the assassination of top Hezbollah commander Imad Muganiyah in a car bomb blast in Damascus late Tuesday. Referring to the internal political crisis paralyzing Lebanon, Siniora said that the government will stay as long as it has the anti-Syrian ruling majority's confidence. Siniora urged Nasrallah and Christian leader General Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who are close allies of Hezbollah, to "do what is best for an independent, Arab, free, diverse Lebanon." He called for presidential elections and the resumption of roundtable talks. In reference to relations with neighboring Syria and its ally Iran, Siniora said Lebanon must help broker "historical reconciliation" between Tehran and the Arab world. "We have deep-rooted cultural and historical relationships with Iran. We reject any attack on Iran, yet we reject its attempts to dominate Lebanon," Siniora explained. "We don't want Lebanon to become an arena for regional conflicts, as we seek excellent relationships with all Arab nations and on top with sisterly Syria," the premier said. "We demanded Syrian troops withdrawal from Lebanon but not to be replaced by American or Iranian or French or Israeli hegemony," he explained. Syrian-Lebanese ties have been tense since former premier Rafik Hariri was assassinated in a car bomb blast in Beirut in February 2005. The anti-Syrian ruling majority blamed Hariri's murder on Damascus and its Lebanese allies - a charge Syria has repeatedly denied. The international and local pressure following Hariri's death led Syria to end its 30-year military presence in Lebanon in 2005. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Intrigue at Heathrow According to the BBC, an IDF general dodged arrest as U.K. police feared shootout. Decency in remission A Ramat Yishai widow is suspected of faking cancer to receive donations.   1.   PM Siniora`s remarks: very diplomatic and prudent 15:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 16/02/08   2.   PM Siniora`s remarks: very diplomatic and prudent 15:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 16/02/08   3.   With the situation in Lebanon so delicate 16:01  |  Mark Lincoln 16/02/08   4.   Seniora,hehe all Lebanon will be destroyed 16:29  |  Siad 16/02/08   5.   dear siniora. i admire ancient phoenicians 16:40  |  bozhidar bob balkas 16/02/08   6.   OPEN WAR WITH ISRAEL MEANS ABSOLUTE DESTRUCTION OF LEBANON!!!!!! 17:04  |  LEBANONS DESTRUCTION 16/02/08   7.   # 5 17:11  |  Tony 16/02/08   8.   # 6 lebanon`s Destruction 17:13  |  Jackie 16/02/08   9.   Lebanese Gov`t, are dictated by Ebola 17:16  |  Cristo 16/02/08   10.   # 6 Should Study HISTORY 17:53  |  Rebel INS 16/02/08   11.   Poor Rebel: All Fury, No Facts 18:14  |  Tex 16/02/08   12.   Y`all still say Hizbollah won the 2006 war? Part I 18:17  |  Conroy 16/02/08   13.   Re Cipora #1 18:21  |  Esther 16/02/08   14.   "historical reconciliation" 18:22  |  Lisen 16/02/08   15.   Y`all still say Hizbollah won the 2006 war? Part II 18:24  |  Conroy 16/02/08   16.   Rebel INS 18:40  |  Jase 16/02/08   17.   #15. Lebanonese don`t need a bigot`s advice. 19:16  |  ManInTheMiddle 16/02/08   18.   say good bye 19:30  |  john 16/02/08   19.   Don`t forget about Iran 19:52  |  Christian 16/02/08   20.   re #6 `OPEN WAR...` 20:30  |  Colin Wright 16/02/08   21.   ManInTheMid sounds angry but is proving my point 20:34  |  Conroy 16/02/08   22.   here we go again 20:46  |  leb 16/02/08   23.   To#11 True Israel existed for the past 60 years but not by its co 20:48  |  pal 16/02/08   24.   PM Siniora (Got too much HASH) 21:05  |  Lebanese 16/02/08   25.   leb is in a mess. only US and isr can invade 21:15  |  bozhidar balkas 16/02/08   26.   indrajaya, Clickfook, Durson, did you read this? 21:21  |  Joe Sittizen 16/02/08   27.   Hey ManinTheMiddle, bring it on! 21:24  |  Jewboy 16/02/08   28.   lol 21:42  |  moezilla 16/02/08   29.   Time to disarm Hezbollah 21:50  |  Yari 16/02/08   30.   How Can Lebanon Get Rid Of Its Hizbollah Cancer? 21:54  |  Bill Foonman 16/02/08   31.   Rebel INS 22:03  |  X` 16/02/08   32.   #24 PM Siniora is not himself! Can you see him looking down 22:32  |  psi 16/02/08   33.   Time to liberate Lebanon from Hezbollah-Syria-Iran occupation 23:08  |  Marwan مروان خوري 16/02/08   34.   israel will burn all of hissyboller and free lebanon 23:24  |  frenz 16/02/08   35.   time 2 revenge! 23:30  |  Zack 16/02/08   36.   #13, Esther, yes 23:33  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 16/02/08   37.   CONROY: WELL SAID 00:02  |  Brant 17/02/08   38.   IDIOTS LIKE REBEL INS: 00:13  |  Brant 17/02/08   39.   #32, Marwan Khoury 01:19  |  Angry Arab 17/02/08   40.   Hide under your mother skirts. 01:42  |  Kevin 17/02/08   41.   History 02:11  |  Shelly Waxman 17/02/08   42.   false - open war will destry lebenon 02:25  |  waste of sand 17/02/08   43.   Christian #19 12:56  |  Bobby 17/02/08   44.   #28 Moezilla 13:13  |  Bobby 17/02/08   45.   Hezbollah propaganda 05:24  |  Suzanne 20/02/08

Today Online Olmert meets Abbas but Jerusalem not on agenda Responses: 166 Lebanon tense amid specter of fresh Israel-Hezbollah fighting Responses: 169 German intellectuals: Israel's creation made Palestinians victims of the Nazi Holocaust Responses: 294 Meron Benvenisti: The demographic bomb is 1-2 years away Responses: 84 Yoel Marcus: Better to keep tabs on terrorists than to kill them Responses: 46 Rosner's Domain Does John McCain need Evangelical voters? (WTR) Rosner's Guest(s): Orthodox women want a "seat at the table" Gaza: The Problem Nobody Wants Poll: Is it important to have an Israeli-Palestinian agreement by the end of 2008? The row over Obama's stance on Israel is a dispute between Jews More Headlines 03:42 Settlements growing despite PM pledge to stop building 05:21 ANALYSIS: When it comes to Jerusalem, both sides are right 01:44 Report: UK police did not arrest IDF general fearing shootout 03:11 MKs to tour Europe, Far East urging stronger action against Iran 03:15 Secular families leave J'lem neighborhood, ultra-Orthodox take over 22:42 Peace minded residents of Gaza, Sderot meet online, write blog 04:05 Officials at odds over first planned Arab city since Israel established 04:27 Police arrest 2 men for assaulting cab driver, 72, then stealing his taxi 04:42 Labor party minister appeals bill 'empowering' rabbinical courts 22:02 Siniora: Failure to solve Lebanon crisis undermines Arab Summit 21:47 Egyptian officials meet with Hamas on Gaza-Egypt border security 05:41 Business owners in north told to return Lebanon war compensation Previous Editions Select Day 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved