Suleiman: We Hope Annan Will Succeed in Reaching Political Solution to Syrian Crisis

President Michel Suleiman stated on Thursday that Lebanon is adopting positive neutrality regarding regional issues, except the Palestinian cause and the conflict with Israel.

He said at the opening of the Arab League summit in Baghdad: “Lebanon sought to distance itself from the Syrian developments and we hope that United Nations and Arab league envoy Kofi Annan would succeed in his mission to reach a political solution to the crisis.”

He hoped that the solution would be based on the Arab initiative that calls for a halt in violence, withdrawal of the army from Syrian cities, and the release of political prisoners that would allow the Syrian people to reach democracy.

“The developments in the Arab world require wise and brave decisions,” Suleiman noted.

This requires the rulers to make the right choices that would achieve the greater good of the Arab countries that would lead to their stability and unity, said the president.

In order to accomplish this goal, all sides must commit to the “true democratic Arabism, based on equality and the need to maintain diversity, which is embodied in the various sects existing in the region,” he stated.

“These factions, including the Christians, have made fundamental contributions in the Arab uprising … that gave Arabism meanings that transcend petty sectarian calculations,” Suleiman added.

“The changes in the Arab world have sparked fears that they may eventually lead to the fragmentation of the region,” he said.

“Lebanon therefore seeks to contribute to these changes based on its principles of freedom, dialogue, and mutual coexistence,” he remarked.

Suleiman stressed the importance of dialogue in tackling the disputes in the region, hoping that the Arabs would focus their attention on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The president arrived in Baghdad on Thursday at the head of a high-ranking delegation that includes Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas, Minister of the Displaced Alaeddine Terro, and several advisors.

Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, who took part in the meeting of the Arab FMs in Baghdad on Wednesday, joined the Lebanese delegation there.

Iraqi officials have said 10 visiting regional leaders will attend the summit, following two days of meetings of Arab economy and foreign ministers.

The summit is set to focus on the year-long crackdown of the Syrian regime on protestors.

A draft resolution put together by the FMs would reject foreign intervention in Syria while voicing support for the Syrian people's "legitimate aspirations to freedom and democracy.”

It would call on Syrian President Bashar Assad to implement a ceasefire and let in humanitarian aid, according to a copy obtained by The Associated Press.

More than 100,000 members of Iraq's forces are providing security in Baghdad, and Iraq has spent upwards of $500 million to refurbish major hotels, summit venues and infrastructure.