Bassil Hands Arab League General Secretariat Lebanon's Constant Principles
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil reportedly handed over to the Arab League general secretariat a publication to confirm Lebanon's decision to hold onto its dissociation policy and calling for the formation of a joint Arab military force.
He stressed in his document, according to As Safir newspaper, that Lebanon refuses to intrude in the differences between Arab countries.
Diplomatic sources told the daily that Lebanon is part of any unanimous decision taken by Arab countries, but dissociates itself from controversial issues, which applies to the crisis in Yemen and other countries.
The daily said that Bassil held onto three principles in the publication, the support of legitimacy in any Arab country, insisting on the political solution and rejecting any military intervention, respecting the sovereignty of states, and refusing to interfere in their affairs.
The sources said that the FM also demanded the formation of a force to safeguard the Arab National Security, stressing that any military intervention should be unanimous and based on “safeguarding all.”
Lebanese rivals adopted in 2012 during a national dialogue session the Baabda Declaration, which calls for Lebanon to distance itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.
Bassil said on Thursday during a preparatory meeting for the 26th Arab Summit that Lebanon abides by its “dissociation policy” towards regional conflicts.
The annual summit will be held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper reported on Friday that Bassil's stance at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers was in coordination with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
Ministerial source told the daily that “Bassil coordinated with the PM his stance at the meeting.”
Saudi Arabia said it had launched “Firmness Storm” offensive against Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen to reinstate what it called the legitimate government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.
It said it had assembled a coalition of more than 10 countries for the military intervention, including five Gulf Arab states and Egypt.
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