Lebanese Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil has discussed with several Arab states the possibility of inviting Syria to the 2019 Arab Economic Summit expected in Beirut at the end of January, informed Arab sources revealed Thursday.
The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Bassil’s discussions concluded with a decision to postpone talks on the issue until next March, when the Arab League summit is expected to be held in Tunis.
“Months ago, Bassil launched unannounced talks with Gulf States, including Bahrain and Kuwait, and other Arab countries such as Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia, on Syria’s return to the Arab League,” the sources said.
They added that the Lebanese Minister, who heads the Free Patriotic Movement, has also discussed the issue with several of his counterparts.
Lebanese diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Bassil has hoped to garner consensus or near unanimity that would allow Beirut to invite Damascus to the Arab Economic Summit.
Despite postponing a decision that would end Syria’s Arab League suspension, Bassil has kept his hopes high on a breakthrough in inviting the Syrian regime to the January summit, the sources said.
“Lebanon is not entitled to unilaterally send invitations to the Summit, which are done on behalf of the Arab League that suspended the membership of Syria (in 2011). Lebanon is bound by the League’s decisions,” the sources explained.
The issue has already drawn controversy in Lebanon.
Political parties loyal to Damascus, including Hezbollah, have been exerting pressure on officials to convince them into inviting the Assad regime to the summit.
However, parties loyal to the March 14 coalition have warned from the repercussions of such a move, particularly if taken without the consent of the Arab League.
