Naharnet - Hariri: Syrian Warrants 'Non-Existent' to Me - December 17, 2009

Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed that the issue of Syrian warrants against a number of Lebanese officials was "non-existent" to him because "nations do not build reciprocal relations in that way."In an interview with MTV network in parallel with Copenhagen's climate summit, Hariri considered the Syrian warrants against some Lebanese officials as "a mistake," given that "it was not right for a Lebanese citizen to file a lawsuit against his fellow citizens abroad."However, Hariri hoped for better Lebanese-Syrian relations "built upon honesty and mutual interest of the two countries."Hariri was referring to the warrants issued by Syria over a lawsuit filed by Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed. Media reports on Thursday said Syria has separated the issue of warrants from Hariri's visit to Damascus. Sources close to Hariri told daily As-Safir there was "no longer any justification for the postponement of the premier's visit to Damascus."Meanwhile, OTV said Hariri tried to postpone his trip pending a settlement to the warrants' issue. It said Hariri has asked Saudi's and Turkey's mediation in this respect. Syria was reportedly seeking an exit strategy from the warrants' crisis.Pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, citing Lebanese sources following up Hariri's Damascus visit, said Wednesday that the trip is likely to take place on Sunday. Ad-Diyar newspaper, for its part, said Hariri-Assad meeting was scheduled for last Sunday, 3 p.m. and was postponed due to the death of Assad's younger brother, Majd.It said details of the visit were being worked out by Saudi King's son and that it has nothing to do with warrants issued by Syria against a number of Lebanese officials over a lawsuit filed by former head of Lebanese General Security Jamil Sayyed.On the other hand, Hariri met with a number of delegations' presidents in parallel with his participation in Copenhagen's U.N. climate change summit.Hariri visited the residence place of Turkish President Abdullah Gul where they held a meeting over the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, and the means of strengthening relations between the two countries.The prime minister also received at the Bella Center conference venue Kuwait's PM Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah and his deputy Sheikh Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah. The meeting tackled the Arab situations and bilateral ties.Furthermore, Hariri received a visit from Saudi Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali al-Nuaimi.Hariri called in Lebanon's speech before the conference to unite the global efforts of fighting climate change, revealing a series of measures to be taken by Lebanon to thwart its effects.He pledged to increase the usage of renewable energy in Lebanon to 12 percent by the year 2020.Lebanon's prime minister urged the developed nations to unify their efforts in helping the developing nations to cope with climate change. He stressed that world nations should leave a less damaged planet for the coming generations.