Syrian Ambassador Says Damascus Keen to Maintain Stability in Lebanon

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali stressed on Saturday that his country is seeing to maintain stability in Lebanon.

“Syria is keen to preserve Lebanon and its resistance,” Abdul Karim said after talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun in Rabieh.

He accused the United States of “trying to divide the region to maintain Israel's stability.”

Analysts say the bloody conflict that is tearing Syria apart is spilling into neighboring Lebanon, pitting supporters of the Damascus regime against its opponents.

Tensions have grown between Sunnis, who mostly support the rebellion against the regime of Bashar Assad, and Shiites, who back his government.

Tripoli in particular has been riven by often deadly strife over the Syria conflict between Sunnis and Alawites, a Shiite offshoot sect from which Assad hails.

Asked about the fate of Syrian refugees, the ambassador stressed that his country is coordinating with the Lebanese state.

He called on the Syrian refugees to return to their country as the state will provide them with a safe shelter in safe zones and with all their needs.

Abdul Karim accused the countries that are aiding the Syrian refugees are also funding “terrorism.”

Over 700,000 Syrian refugees have registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon.