Lebanese Official Criticizes Syrian Delegation’s Approach to Detainee Issue
beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese politician Al-Khouli sharply criticized a recent Syrian delegation’s meetings with Lebanese officials, notably regarding discrepancies in statements concerning Syrian detainees held in Lebanon. He alleges a lack of genuine coordination between Damascus and Beirut,casting doubt on the credibility of assurances offered by the Lebanese side.
The core of the dispute centers on differing accounts of the detainee situation, with the statement released in Beirut diverging significantly from that issued in Damascus. This inconsistency, according to Al-Khouli, underscores a fundamental problem in how the Syrian government engages with Lebanon, manifesting in the delegation’s composition, the issues prioritized, and perceived attempts to influence the Lebanese judiciary – specifically, the characterization of convicted terrorists as political detainees. These actions, he contends, represent a deliberate strategy to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and jeopardize its future.
Al-Khouli further emphasized the Lebanese government’s obligation to prioritize the fate of thousands of Lebanese citizens missing or detained in Syrian prisons since the onset of the Lebanese civil War. He argued that addressing this long-standing issue shoudl take precedence over other matters, and condemned what he described as a tolerance for the distortion of facts and a silence surrounding this ongoing national concern.
The national media Agency reported Al-Khouli’s statements, available via radio on 98.5, 98.1 and 96.2 FM.
