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Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, right, and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy share a toast in Baabda, near Beirut on Saturday. (AP)
Last update - 15:56 09/06/2008
Report: Hezbollah willing to negotiate over Shaba Farms
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Shaba Farms, Lebanon 

Hezbollah officials have reportedly told French President Nicolas Sarkozy that the group is not opposed to a diplomatic solution to the Shaba Farms dispute, according to a report published in the London-based Arabic daily Al-Hayat on Monday.

This would mean a departure from the Shi'ite militia's traditional policy on the matter, which has been to support the use of force in order to return the 8 square mile disputed area in the Golan Heights.

According to Al-Hayat, the matter came up during a meeting held between Sarkozy and senior Lebanese political leaders, including recently elected Lebanese President Gen. Michel Suleiman, during his visit to the country over the weekend.
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Sarkozy also reportedly said that he will bring up the issue of Shaba Farms during his visit to Israel in two weeks. He will reportedly try to encourage Israel to use diplomatic means to resolve the matter.

During his brief visit to Lebanon, Sarkozy stressed his country's support for newly-elected Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and for reconciliation through dialogue.

Sarkozy, the first Western head of state to visit Lebanon since Suleiman took office at the end of May, said the former army commander had "a great responsibility to drive this national reconciliation forward."

"It is essential that all Lebanese political forces display their commitment to dialogue," he added at a luncheon with Sleiman, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, parliament speaker Nabih Berri and representatives of all major Lebanese political factions.

Lebanon has endured a tense 18-month political crisis that drove it to the brink of civil war in early May.

After 65 people were killed in sectarian violence, rival factions reached a deal in Doha on May 21 that led to the election of then army chief and consensus candidate Sleiman after a six-month void in the presidency.
Sleiman himself said the "Doha agreement, in which France took part, has regenerated long-awaited and desired political stability".

Even so, the anti-Syrian ruling bloc, backed by the West and most Arab states, and the Hezbollah-led opposition continue to squabble over the formation of a new government.

Sarkozy said that "once the institutions have stabilized, (Lebanon) must address the reconstruction of the state and the economy's dynamism to open up to reforms".

He said France remained "committed to strengthening the capacities of the Lebanese army within the framework of a national defense strategy to be established through sincere dialogue ... that can no longer be delayed."
His office said France would provide training to the army as part of its economic assistance.

The president also indicated "a new page may be opening" in relations with Damascus that Paris suspended during the crisis. A source close to his office said two senior envoys would soon visit Syria.

France is the former colonial power in Lebanon and neighbouring Syria, which for decades was the powerbroker in Beirut.

On Monday, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband visited Lebanon, where he met with President Suliman and pledged UK support for the embattled country.

Miliband says Britain wants to offer practical support to Lebanon, which he says needs to become a force for stability in the region.

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      1.   No peace with Hizbollah, No peace with Hamas, No peace with Syria 13:25  |  Natallie Durson 09/06/08
      2.   Like the Care About Shabaa Farms? 13:50  |  dyinglikeflies 09/06/08
      3.   To #1 Durson 14:46  |  Frank 09/06/08
      4.   israel will never give back land 14:49  |  Omar 09/06/08
      5.   The "farms" were Syrian territory until Israel occupied them in a 15:01  |  Amihai 09/06/08
      6.   What if... 15:07  |  Ariel 09/06/08
      7.   So what! They`re not saying there will be peace once they get it 15:07  |  McQueen 09/06/08
      8.   why not give it a try 15:07  |  joki 09/06/08
      9.   # 1 Durson...the UN is at fault on this issue 15:15  |  Lynn 09/06/08
      10.   foundation and existence of Israel: zionizm, not peace 15:15  |  Historian 09/06/08
      11.   #1 15:26  |  Sami 09/06/08
      12.   #2 15:28  |  Sami 09/06/08
      13.   #9 15:30  |  Sami 09/06/08
      14.   #7 15:32  |  Sami 09/06/08
      15.   Sami.. NasrZabra is a Thief, a Liar and a Killer 15:54  |  Amin 09/06/08
      16.   Mr. Sami.. Nasrallah is a biggot, a thief, a liar and a criminal 16:06  |  Amin 09/06/08
      17.   The Farm 16:09  |  Dr D 09/06/08
      18.   #4 - Omar : typical lies 16:09  |  Maurice 09/06/08
      19.   1. Natallie Durson: No terrorist can bring peace 16:18  |  KUTW 09/06/08
      20.   8 square miles? That`s it? That`s the fight? 16:30  |  Aphemia 09/06/08
      21.   Dr D # Lebensraum reinstated, 16:30  |  American in NY 09/06/08
      22.   #4 Omar 16:35  |  joki 09/06/08
      23.   So many stupid people 16:39  |  Ariel 09/06/08
      24.   Peace 16:53  |  Tara 09/06/08
      25.   respond to Omar 16:53  |  Tal 09/06/08
      26.   Tal from Canada 17:14  |  ClearCut 09/06/08
      27.   Shaba 17:16  |  Edithann 09/06/08
      28.   DUH... Has Hezbollah ever been *unwilling* to negotiate? 17:17  |  Arik Silverman 09/06/08
      29.   Shaba Farms.. 17:24  |  Edithann 09/06/08
      30.   # 10; foundation and existence of Israel: zionizm, not peace 17:39  |  David Bowes 09/06/08
      31.   sheba farms 17:43  |  baruch 09/06/08
      32.   No Pease with Hx2, Syria 17:48  |  David Bowes 09/06/08
      33.   Amin #15 and #16 17:52  |  Sami 09/06/08
      34.   #28 17:56  |  Sami 09/06/08
      35.   #32 18:00  |  Sami 09/06/08
      36.   Are the terrorists the Lebanese government? 18:16  |  KUTW 09/06/08
      37.   Diplomatic means with terrorists? 18:16  |  KUTW 09/06/08
      38.   # OMAR - I BELIEVE YOU ARE 18:16  |  ANUAR AL SADAT 09/06/08
      39.   re4spond to clearcut. 18:19  |  Tal 09/06/08
      40.   # 35 sami 18:25  |  joki 09/06/08
      41.   Sami`s Guarantee 18:56  |  Nicky 09/06/08
      42.   #28 Duh, you`re wrong 19:12  |  McQueen 09/06/08
      43.   First Syria Must Renounce All Claims To Shebaa 19:39  |  RickD 09/06/08
      44.   Tal again 39 19:57  |  ClearCut 09/06/08
      45.   Hezbollah Is Not Even An Elected Party, They Can`t Negotiate 20:36  |  Shepherd 09/06/08
      46.   Hey #1 20:49  |  Scott 09/06/08
      47.   to sami arab truthfulness 20:54  |  real vision 09/06/08
      48.   No problem -now start it by moving to the North of Litani 21:30  |  Sal 09/06/08
      49.   Sorry Shepherd... 21:35  |  BBSNews 09/06/08
      50.   These areas have ONE thing in common 21:52  |  Schtarker Yid 09/06/08
      51.   ClearCut 21:58  |  Netanel Zahav 09/06/08
      52.   Sami - another excuse? 22:00  |  Miransky 09/06/08
      53.   Revisionist historian#10 - Arabism and peace do not mix 22:27  |  William 09/06/08
      54.   I think Durson 22:29  |  Hadi 09/06/08
      55.   Sami - despite your arguments, it`s not Lebanese 22:33  |  William 09/06/08
      56.   Sami, Joki - Wb/Gaza already offered in 1967 22:38  |  William 09/06/08
      57.   Historian, were you asleep during history class or just 22:40  |  jj 09/06/08
      58.   #4 Omar tell us with your own words how exactly did Egypt beat 22:43  |  MR 09/06/08
      59.   Hizbollahs "negotiations" - a farce 22:43  |  William 09/06/08
      60.   Hezbollah speaks for no one 23:13  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 09/06/08
      61.   I think Durson 23:49  |  Hadi 09/06/08
      62.   #38 - did you know you were taught lies? 01:37  |  honestywithoutmercy 10/06/08
      63.   Sorry Shepherd... - 2nd try 01:42  |  BBSNews 10/06/08
      64.   Natalie Durson 02:37  |  Jane 10/06/08
      65.   #55 Learn history 02:57  |  Free Gilad Shalit 10/06/08
      66.   Who is Hizbollah to negotiate over Shebaa?? 02:58  |  Free Gilad Shalit 10/06/08
      67.   Some facts about the Yom Kippur war 03:03  |  Tarzan 10/06/08
      68.   To Tal from Canada 03:04  |  Lebanese in Canada 10/06/08
      69.   To RickD from USA 03:25  |  Lebanese in Canada 10/06/08
      70.   Really? Who cares what they want anyway? 03:53  |  Dan 10/06/08
      71.   Sure, and if they don`t like the outcome they will attack Israel? 04:00  |  Dan 10/06/08
      72.   Jane, Nattalie`s analysis is quite correct.. 05:54  |  BBSNews 10/06/08
      73.   #60 Cipora misunderstands....again 06:05  |  Johnboy 10/06/08
      74.   #64 The UN made a mistake, Jane 08:30  |  Johnboy 10/06/08
      75.   #55 William makes the same mistake as others 08:45  |  Johnboy 10/06/08
      76.   #55 william 09:10  |  joki 10/06/08
      77.   this falls directly into line with assad`s statement... 11:24  |  eric 10/06/08
      78.   #47 16:27  |  Sami 10/06/08
      79.   #55 16:30  |  Sami 10/06/08
      80.   #56 16:33  |  Sami 10/06/08
      81.   #77 and the others 16:39  |  Sami 10/06/08
      82.   The Palestinians 16:42  |  Sami 10/06/08
      83.   # 81 to sami in ann arbor 10:09  |  eric 11/06/08
      84.   no worries hezbullah;mert will get right on it;just as soon as he 17:53  |  glenna 11/06/08
      85.   the master real estater mert always ready to give PIECE be 18:22  |  glenna 11/06/08
      86.   # 9 Lynn tehn Israel is at fault on this 23:05  |  American in NY 11/06/08
      87.   Dr D re Nasrallh as madman 23:09  |  American in NY 11/06/08
      88.   CJK # 60 Hezbollah speaks fro no one. 23:13  |  American in NY 11/06/08
      89.   Free Gilad Shalit # 66 Who is Hizbollah to negotiate over Shebaa? 23:26  |  American in NY 11/06/08
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