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Olmert tells Israeli daily US will not sell out Lebanon for Syria |
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Written by Agence France Presse (AFP)
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Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the United States will not sell out Lebanon to Syria. In an interview with Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, Olmert also revealed that he was the one who insisted on Syria's invitation to the Annapolis peace conference, despite Washington's objection.
Olmert stressed that the US was not willing to deceive Lebanon in return for normalization of relations with Syria.
"We are aware that the Syrians will not get involved in peace talks unless the Americans changed their stance toward them," Olmert told the daily.
"And for establishing normal ties with Syria, the Americans will have to betray Lebanon, and George Bush's administration is not willing to do so," he said.
Meanwhile, the US said it sees a "mixed picture" from Syria about whether it now seeks to cooperate with US aims in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters over the weekend State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, could not offer a "definitive assessment" when asked if there was any proof that Syria is cooperating more with Washington to support free elections in Lebanon. - AFP
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