Mansour Sends Memorandum to Syria, but Falls Short of 'Protest' Expectations
Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour revealed on Wednesday that he sent a memorandum to Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali demanding his country to avoid the recurrence of any border incidents.
Mansour made the revelation to reporters ahead of a cabinet session at the Grand Serail and following two days of harsh criticism by the March 14 opposition on his procrastination in delivering a letter of complaint on Syria’s violations of Lebanese territories in compliance with President Michel Suleiman’s request.
But the foreign minister’s memorandum fell short of Suleiman’s demand of a protest letter on repeated incursions to Lebanon.
Ahead of his move, Mansour shrugged off demands to summon Ali or expel him, saying “summoning does not take place among brethren.”
“I will snap back at my critics in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time,” Mansour told several newspapers.
The March 14 criticism came after Ali violated the protocol on Monday and made a statement even before receiving the letter of protest.
Syria should instead be filing complaints because its border posts are being attacked from Lebanese territories, the diplomat said.
The opposition also criticized the foreign minister, who reiterated that he was taking his time in delivering the letter to the Syrian envoy because he is trying to “document the security information” after allegedly five Lebanese men were killed inside Syrian territories.
He said “there is no need to hand him (Ali) a letter of complaint but a diplomatic memo because the violation did not come from one side.”
The issue drew a sharp reaction from the opposition which met with Mansour on Tuesday to pressure him into handing over the letter to the Syrian ambassador.
Al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Nuhad Mashnouq said he will ask the head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee to call for a meeting to discuss the issue.
“The Lebanese authorities should have expelled the Syrian envoy” for crossing the line, said the opposition lawmaker, who also criticized Mansour for supporting him.
Another March 14 official, Phalange lawmaker Elie Marouni, ridiculed Mansour for “still trying to figure out the appropriate words to write the letter.”
“He should have given the Syrian ambassador a few hour ultimatum to leave” Lebanon, he said.
Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Miqati said the premier learned of Suleiman’s request only after it was made. They stressed that the issue will not be discussed during a cabinet session at the Grand Serail on Wednesday.
almost 12 years
Mansour reports to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Period.
Gone are the days of Jean Obeid and Fares Bouez.
almost 12 years
they were traitors, but at least they tried to act like they werent
almost 12 years
A traitor :)
what did anyone expect from this guy? issue such comments while his friends are aggressing our countries!
and now FT and mowaten (traitors) will find some stupid comment to defend this guy :)
almost 12 years
wow. all this anger. it shows Mansour puts u in a bad place ya aouniye. it's so hard for you to defend him. but your anger also shows you know this isnt normal. so call me crazy or hopelessly optimistic but i still have hope for you aouniye to come back to your senses after syria and/or HA are destroyed, and ur boss stops selling the country to become president.
almost 12 years
How can a foreign minister deal with such an issue when he doesn't regard Syria as a foreign nation to begin with... It's sad to have such traitors in official public positions.
almost 12 years
This minister obviously neither represents the interests of his country nor of his people. Unless Lebanon has become part of Syria, and the Syrian army can behave as if it is in Hamma or Damascus, the PM must fire his ass now. Let's not forget the Telecom minister too.
almost 12 years
FlameThrower, I can see Your the only loser in here calling someone bad names while he is commenting on an online article seeing he said nothing bad in his comment. It is obvious that You are not worth replying same as the so called leaders that U follow and defend like the puppet You are, since this is Your way in going into a dialogue. It's Your opinion that works or everyone else are not worth it right? Shame on You and Shame on Naharnet For allowing such a pathetic readers to comment in such ways.
almost 12 years
@WhatEver, you should know as well that this individual advocates the shooting of M14 supporters in the head and dissolving them in acid. Also he typically resorts to name calling and insults when he is cornered and he is unable to defend his political point of view in a reasonable and civilized manner. Sad isn't it?
almost 12 years
أفشل وزير خارجية على وج الارض, قمة المسخرة, الشعب عم يتقتل و بقول الوضع مش خطر, لكن الخطر؟ خطف مزارع من الجنوب و اخلاء سبيله بعد كم ساعة.
و لكن شكله منصور مش ناوي يكون وزير خارجية بلد حر مستقل.
almost 12 years
As if March 14 losers would dare to send anything if they were in power. LOL
almost 12 years
March 14 kicked the Syrians out of Lebanon,what did Auon and Hezb Iran do ?
almost 12 years
The demonstrations that led to syria going out were actually on March 14 to counter the effect of the thugs protest that happened 6 days before(which were orchestrated by HA and his lowlife thugs partners back then, ssnp (biggest thug of all), marada, some palestinian factions, some paid mercenaries.
I dont agree that M14 is worse than M8. M14 has a lot of bad/criminal elements. But it is trying to build a state. M8 is (apart from the person of GMA) a curse to the state. Their weapons for one are absolutely unexcusable.
almost 12 years
Are you that stupid???? march 14 protested and got rid of syria, your hezboshyit was defending syria waving syrian and yellow flags while bush was pushing for syria to leave. God bless George W Bush
almost 12 years
well - they stretched lebanon's asshole wide open for syria to pound into
almost 12 years
Are you sure they got out. The controlled Lebanon before the civil war without having one soldier on its soil. All your presidents were chosen for you by the syrians. So this is the way it will be even after Bashar.
almost 12 years
was the letter made public?
almost 12 years
What do you expect when Hezbollah hijacks the country? Do you think they care about Lebanon's image? To the contrary, they want Lebanon to look hostile and ignorant. Mansour fits that description to a tee.
almost 12 years
Mansour takes his orders from Berri and thus from Assad...he's a traitor and a symbol or disloyalty to Lebanon...
almost 12 years
Mansour should be expelled from his post. There were5 lebanese KILLED. He is waiting for what? the autopsy report? He is a lowlife who doesnt deserve his position.
almost 12 years
Syrian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon
Hamra Street
Hamra
City: Beirut
Phone: 009611735849/ 009611736145
Guys let's go Ali Abdul Karim is in need of a protest !!!
almost 12 years
lqu7 you must be an outer-space living creature. "As if M14 could send something if they were in power" ??? Forget about parties and who is siding who. Don't You even read daily news and that M14 accuses Syria with the Assassination of Rafik Hariri? Did the network Cafe Your in dashed You 20mins of Free internet in between the counter strike game that You play with Your fellow teens for You to join this website and say a NAIVE thing like this? You are amazingly ridiculous.
almost 12 years
Jabalm is one of those soon to be instinct animals.
almost 12 years
nobody cares go home
Ya Mansour, first of all you have proven beyond any shadow of doubt that you are a big JERK...
Now the question is, are you the foreign minister of Lebanon or a Syrian puppet? Walla based on your action and/or inaction, I think you are a traitor. And if I recall there is a provision in the Lebanese law that whoever collaborates with the enemy must be tried in the court of law and hopefully executed. I can recommend the venue for your hanging...how about Akkar, or Bekaa, or better yet Downtown Beirut...
You have brought nothing but shame and dishonor to Lebanon, the President and all the Lebanese people...you better find out where Assad will be seeking refuge and catch a ride with him...
TRAITOR!!!
I miss the days when Lebanon had a REAL foreign minister...