Siniora told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat in remarks published Monday that he preferred not to comment on the remarks of Otari and Muallem in order not to argue about the relations of the two countries.
The newspaper quoted ministers as saying that "we don't think Lebanon's prime minister would reject an invitation. He would welcome it."
They said that Siniora has always sent letters to Syrian President Bashar Assad and Otari during national holidays but he never received replies.
The ministers also told al-Hayat that the prime minister will not hesitate to visit Damascus if he receives an official invitation.
"Lebanese Premier Fouad Siniora has received three invitations to visit Syria, including one by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, but he didn't accept," Otari said Sunday.
"PM Siniora does not need an invitation. The doors of Damascus are open. He already came to Damascus in 2005 without invitation," Otari added.
Mouallem also said Sunday that Siniora didn't need an invitation.
He described Siniora as "a national unity prime minister in Lebanon," adding that "an official has to go from one Arab country to the other to serve the public interest."
Tags: Assad, Lebanon, Siniora, source: Naharnet, Syria, Ya Libnan
