Miqati Denies U.S. Warnings, Says he Has No Trade Ties with Syria

Premier Najib Miqati has denied that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had warned him about certain measures on Lebanon if Lebanese authorities reject U.N. Security Council action against Syria over its violent crackdown on protestors.

“First there was no warning and second we don’t need any warning because no one knows Lebanon’s interest better than us,” Miqati told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in an interview published Thursday.

“We don’t work under anyone’s guidance. We work for Lebanese interest which lies in supporting international legitimacy,” he added.

Miqati also denied that U.S. officials had warned him about possible sanctions on his family for having “legitimate trade ties” with Syria.

“There are no legitimate or illegitimate relations in any way with Syria or with Syrian officials,” he said. “This is part of the biased rumors issued from time to time.”

While confirming that he had friendly personal ties with Syrian President Bashar Assad, he said he hasn’t held a telephone conversation with him and hadn’t visited Damascus a month before his appointment in January.

“To be honest I only spoke to him once to extend my greetings on the occasion of an Eid,” the premier told al-Hayat.

Asked if had received assurances from Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement that they would give their consent to the funding of the international tribunal, Miqati said: “The funding and the implementation of international resolutions fall in Lebanon’s interest and I don’t think that anyone is against it.”

“I am betting on the patriotism of all sides inside the cabinet” to secure the funds for the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the prime minister told his interviewer.

“Until now the subject hasn’t been put up for discussion so that I receive assurances,” he said.

About doubts that the U.S. would reject to assist the Lebanese army, Miqati said: “On the contrary, Mrs. Clinton stressed her cooperation saying the Lebanese military will receive U.S. assistance.”

He unveiled that Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji will visit the U.S. early October for talks with top officials there to provide Lebanon with the necessary military equipment.