Syrian minister speaks to Al-Jazeera TV about Paris summit, healing "Arab rift"

["Midday Guest" programme, featuring an interview with Syrian Information Minister Muhsin Bilal, via satellite from Damascus, by Hasan Jammul and Luna al-Shibl in the studio - live]

Qatari government-funded, pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera satellite TV on 19 July carries live in its "Midday Guest" programme a 10-minute interview with Syrian Information Minister Muhsin Bilal, via satellite from Damascus, by Hasan Jammul and Luna al-Shibl in the studio.

Asked if he thinks the "isolation" imposed on Damascus for over three years is over now, he says: "I think all viewed Syria, represented by its President Bashar al-Asad, as the bright star of the Union for the Mediterranean summit in Paris. The term isolation was not accepted by anyone in Syria. Syria has always exercised its Arab and international duties very successfully as proven by Syria's success in holding the 20th Arab summit in Damascus and the attendance of all Arabs." He adds: "Therefore, Syria has not been isolated from the world. On the contrary, it has always been in the heart of the world. It has always been an active player in the international arena. His Excellency President Bashar al-Asad was the bright star during the Paris summit."

Asked if Damascus expects ties with the United States to improve after the upcoming US elections and advent of a new administration, he says: "The demise of this administration is in sight. The world is waiting for the upcoming US elections in the hope that an administration that better understands the world, that is open to peace, that abandons the narrow-minded war mentality, and that stops avoiding dialogue with peoples and countries will come. Therefore, the issue of peace and negotiations over Israel's withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories is postponed until the advent of the new US Administration."

On Syria's relations with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, he says: "Relations among brothers in the Arab world may be warm or cool. Relations are now lukewarm. Syria is ready and willing to heal the Arab rift. This is the plan of His Excellency President Al-Asad, who is the current president of the Arab summit." He adds that the Syrian president is planning to visit the Arab capitals "to heal the Arab rift, reunite the Arabs, and implement the Arab summit resolutions." He then says "if there is a problem, Syria will certainly not be the side that is responsible for it."

Asked if Al-Asad will visit Riyadh or Cairo in the near future, he says: "President Al-Asad's agenda includes visits to all Arab capitals in his capacity as president of the Arab summit. These visits are aimed at healing the Arab rift, reuniting the Arabs, and reviving Arab solidarity."

When told that the French foreign minister was quoted as saying Riyadh was not pleased with French "openness on Damascus" and asked if Syria will "open up on the Arab countries, especially Saudi Arabia and Egypt," he says: "What Minister Kouchner said was correct. That was their opinion. We do our best to visit and meet with them and reunite the Arabs, especially since Syria is currently the president of the Arab summit. Therefore, it acts as head of the summit and is ready to visit all Arab capitals and meet with all Arab leaders and brothers."

Asked if improving ties with Saudi Arabia and Egypt depends on the next US Administration, he says: "Arab brotherhood, Arab solidarity, and healing the Arab rift are all internal Arab affairs that concern the Arab family. I do not think any foreign administration has the right to interfere in this purely internal issue."

On the date diplomatic ties between Syria and Lebanon will be exchanged, he says: "There is absolutely no problem or obstruction from our side. On the contrary, this issue has been proposed by Syria and its president since 2005. Syria does all that fulfils the needs of the brothers in Lebanon. It does all that satisfies Lebanon, restores its national unity, and strengthens the new Lebanese situation, including the national unity government and new presidency under the leadership of President Michel Sulayman. Syria is ready to extend to the brothers in Lebanon, which is a sisterly and neighbouring twin country, all that defuses tension in Lebanon. We have absolutely no problem in this regard."

Finally asked if Syria still has problems with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, he says: "We deal with Lebanon as a sisterly twin country that has its own constitution and entity. Consequently, its relations with Syria are relations between brothers. There is a higher council for coordination and cooperation between Lebanon and Syria. Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Mu'allim will convey an invitation to the Lebanese president to visit Syria." He adds that Syria will give the Lebanese president a good reception and "Syria has no problem with any person in Lebanon because they are our kinfolk, brothers, and part of our family."

Source: Al-Jazeera TV, Doha, in Arabic 1330 gmt 19 Jul 08