Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali noted on Wednesday that the agreements between Lebanon and Syria obligate the two countries to respect them.

He said after holding talks with Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour: “The greater responsibility however lies on Lebanon in implementing these agreements because arms are being smuggled to Syria and sometimes they are being smuggled through Lebanon.”

President Michel Suleiman on Friday congratulated the Lebanese on the occasion of the New Year, hoping 2012 would be a year of dialogue, understanding and stability.

In a statement issued by his press office, Suleiman hoped “2012 would bring happiness and stability for the nation and would be a year of dialogue and understanding” that would contribute to the productivity of public institutions.

Syria's envoy to Beirut has urged the Lebanese government to prevent cross-border arms smuggling, saying the alleged trafficking was "complementary to terrorism.”

In an interview with the Hizbullah-run website al-Intiqad, Ali Abdul Karim Ali called on Lebanon to take "serious, strict measures to end arms smuggling from Lebanon into Syria and... not give in to international pressure."

French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton revealed on Monday that Prime Minister Najib Miqati had received an official invitation from his French counterpart, Francois Fillon, to visit France.

He said after meeting the premier that President Nicolas Sarkozy would be happy to meet Miqati to congratulate him on the decision to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali said on Thursday that paying Lebanon’s share of funds for the U.N.-backed court probing the murder of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri is a Lebanese affair, praising any effort that fortifies Lebanon against the Israeli threats.

“Concerning the STL, it’s a Lebanese affair… We bless any effort that strengthens Lebanon and stabilizes it,” Ali added after a meeting with ex-PM Omar Karami.

The Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali stressed on Friday that Syrian President Bashar Assad is implementing reform despite the media uproar indicating the contrary.

He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “The international pressure against Syria will crumble before its national unity and its leadership’s responsible policies towards all challenges.”

The March 14 forces are weighing the possibility of withdrawing Lebanon’s Ambassador to Syria, Michel Khoury, in light of the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria’s membership at the organization, reported the daily An Nahar on Sunday.

A prominent March 14 source told the daily that the forces are also mulling the possibility of suggesting the expulsion of the Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Abdul Karim Ali.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat condemned on Wednesday the kidnapping of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon, wondering if Lebanon is facing a new phase of the “infamous” security hegemony that controlled the country in the past.

He said in a statement: “All Syrian activists have the right to express their opinions freely without being subject to any harassment or pressure from any side.”

Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali urged Lebanese security agencies on Thursday to reconsider their investigations into the smuggling of weapons from Lebanon to Syria.

“The amount of smuggled arms to Syria and the amount unveiled by the Lebanese investigation calls for a review by the Lebanese security agencies,” Ali told Hizbullah’s al-Manar TV station.

The Parliamentary human rights committee session on Monday witnessed a heated debate over the discussion of a report written by Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi about the alleged involvement of the Syrian embassy in the disappearance of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon.

Voice of Lebanon radio reported that the voices were heard at the press room in the parliament.