Lebanon: Saniora Denies Secretly Meeting Bush in Aqaba

 The press office of the head of the unconstitutional government Fouad Saniora denied news reports that a meeting had taken place in Jordan between him, MP Saad Hariri and US President George W. Bush.

“Prime Minister Saniora and MP Hariri need not hold secret meetings with any official,” the press office statement said. The Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar quoted political sources in Beirut as saying that Bush, who wanted to visit Lebanon, requested holding a meeting away from the media with Saniora.

The US President said he skipped Lebanon because he did not want to “distract from the delicate political process” there aimed at holding presidential elections. The source added that Jordan’s King Abdullah II volunteered to arrange the meeting and called Saniora for a visit to the kingdom.

“MP Saad Hariri also followed Saniora coming from Paris.” The three men embarked on a military plane piloted by King Abdullah to the Aqaba base, where the meeting was held with Bush. The daily added that Bush renewed to Saniora his support to his ‘government’ and the February 14 bloc.

Answering questions on-line about his Middle East tour, Bush said that Lebanon was still on the US agenda. “Let me assure you that I am committed to democracy in Lebanon. Syria, however, continues to try to subvert the outcome of the Lebanese political process from the outside,” Bush said.


Comment on Global Research Articles on our Facebook page

Become a Member of Global Research


Articles by: Global Research

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: [email protected]

www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.

For media inquiries: [email protected]