Assad: Lebanon cannot continue with self-distancing policy

“Lebanon cannot be immune from the fires that flare up around it and adopt a ‘self-distancing policy’,” Syrian regime President Bashar Al-Assad said.

Speaking to Syria’s semi-official Al-Watan news agency yesterday, Al-Assad remarked on the election of General Michel Aoun as president of Lebanon saying: “The ability to elect a president is a victory for Lebanon and the election of someone who enjoys consensus is also a victory for Lebanon.”

“When there is someone like General Michel Aoun who knows the danger of terrorism on Lebanon and its citizens, it will also be a victory for Lebanon and a victory for Syria,” Al-Assad added.

When asked if he had invited Aoun to visit Syria, Assad said: “No, not yet, now they are busy with forming a government.”

Lebanon adopted a “self-distancing policy” in the wake of the Syrian civil war which began in 2011. However, Shia Hezbollah joined the Assad regime forces in 2013.