Lebanon PM: There's no place for bilateral talks with Israel

[oberliner]

Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora rejected Israel's call for direct, bilateral talks to reach a peace deal between the two bordering countries.

"Lebanon's known position before this government is that there is no place for bilateral negotiations between Lebanon and Israel," Siniora's media office said in a statement late Wednesday.

Hezbollah legislator Nawar al-Saheli told The Associated Press that the Israeli offer is :ridiculous propaganda."

Government spokesman Mark Regev said earlier Wednesday that Israel is interested in talks that would bring every issue of contention to the table. He said the talks would also cover a key border dispute over the Shaba Farms, a small piece of land controlled by Israel, the dispute over which is a key sticking point between Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/993954.html

[Behind the Aegis]

1. What a shame.

I hope this decision by Siniora is remembered.

[Boojatta]

2. Does Israel have a responsibility to ensure that Hezbollah

takes control of Shaba Farms or does Israel have a responsibility to ensure that Hezbollah doesn't take control of Shaba Farms? Alternatively, is Israel morally obligated to simply withdraw and allow the Lebanese political process to sort out control of Shaba Farms?

[aranthus]

3. Does Israel have the moral responsibility to play the fool?

The reason that they don't withdraw from Shaba Farms is that it is claimed by Syria. What is likely to happen is that if Israel withdraws, the Syrians will move in and claim a moral victory.