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| 10/07/2008 Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem has warned that “extremist movements” don’t want to see a stable Lebanon.
In an interview with the OTV, Moallem denied any Syrian interference in the formation of the government in Lebanon and expressed hope that the Lebanese cabinet will be formed very soon.
"The security situation could get worse if a government wasn't established as soon as possible," Moallem said.
The Syrian FM also denied any direct or indirect Syrian interference in the cabinet formation process.
“Not establishing the government in Lebanon will have a negative impact on Lebanon and Syria, and there are a lot of people who do not wish well for both countries,” he added.
Moallem reiterated his call for establishing diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria, which he said Damascus has wanted since 2005, and which will become possible after the establishment of the national-unity government. “We are ready to discuss all the agreements that have been signed between Lebanon and Syria.”
He noted that nothing is preventing PM Fouad Saniora from visiting Damascus if he is presiding over a national-unity government.
“No matter what the level of disputes between officials, it cannot eliminate the ties between the Lebanese and Syrian people,” Moallem said. "Syria's hand was stretched to anyone who wanted to become (Damascus') friend," he also said.
Moallem expressed fears over the latest violence that has been sweeping across Tripoli and said he hopes that the Lebanese army can control the situation.
“Syria does not want to return to Lebanon, neither on the military nor the security level. We are very content now, more than ever, and we are seeking ‘relations among equals between the two countries,’” he said.
The top Syrian diplomat welcomed the release of the Lebanese detainees from Israeli jails and criticized the international community for overlooking the occupied Kfar Shouba Hills while only bringing up the Shebaa Farms when speaking of Israeli occupation.
“Since 2006, I have told PM Fouad Saniora that we support the option of putting the Shebaa Farms under UN supervision,” Moallem said. “The Shebaa Farms are Lebanese, and Israel must withdraw from the territory. There is a difference between saying that the farms are Lebanese and drawing the border in the occupied land.”
On the Palestinian issue, Moallem said that Lebanon cannot handle the permanent settlement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees. “Those talking about Palestinian settlement, whether in Lebanon or outside Lebanon, do not wish to see a comprehensive solution in the region.”
Commenting on the incidents in the Syrian Saydnaya prison, Mouallem explained that some extremists who were captured while crossing from Iraq to Syria had kidnapped inmates in the prison in order to negotiate with the authorities.
“Now the situation is under control, and the incident did not result in too many casualties or wounded. However, the timing of this incident is important and reveals lots of signs,” Moallem pointed out.
He also noted that the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is being used as a tool to apply political pressure on certain parties. “Now the international mood has changed, and they want a tribunal based on evidence.”
Commenting on his relation with MP General Michel Aoun, Moallem said that the latter managed to overcome his past after the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon and called for turning a new page with Damascus. “We have no direct contacts with him, but we appreciate his stances, which are clear. Dealing with him is very easy. We want to continue contacts with him, but so far, such contacts do not exist,” Moallem concluded. | 
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