Arab foreign ministers on Wednesday urged feuding Lebanese politicians to elect army commander Gen. Michel Suleiman as their new president ahead of an Arab summit to be held in Damascus March 29-30.
The Arab FMs also called on Syria and Lebanon to put their bilateral relations on the right track.
The top diplomats from the 22-member league made the appeal in a statement at the end of their meeting to discuss the protracted Lebanese crisis and preparations for the Damascus summit.
The daily An Nahar said Thursday the confrontation occurred when Mitri criticized Syria over its stance from Lebanon, prompting violent response from Muallem.
It said Mitri and Mouallem traded sharp words.
An Nahar, citing well-informed sources in Beirut, said the Lebanese delegation suggested pointing out its view from the Lebanon crisis in which it considered that the "major problem" was not restricted to presidential elections, but was outlined by the Syrian-Iranian intervention in Lebanon.
The delegation argued that the Syrian-Iranian meddling began by encouraging rebellion, by providing anti-government Lebanese groups with arms and by continuing to press ahead with efforts to cripple Lebanon institutions all the way to the presidential void.
The delegation, therefore, insisted that the Arabs should deal with the root of the Lebanon crisis.
Vehement criticism directed at Mouallem by Mitri made the Syrian foreign minister's blood boil.
Mouallem hit back at Mitri, accusing the Lebanese majority of inviting U.S. warships to Lebanon in a bid to attract international interference.
The war of words between Mouallem and Mitri prompted Saudi intervention.
An Nahar said Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal criticized Syria's role in supporting Lebanese factions against the government.
Sources - Naharnet
Tags: Arabs, league, Lebanon, Mitri, Moallem, Syria
