UNITED NATIONS, May 11 (UPI) -- A U.N. Security Council resolution has been drafted calling on Syria to cooperate with Lebanon, delineate their border and establish diplomatic relations.
Syria Thursday objected.
The measure is sponsored by Britain, France and the United States, and was expected to be circulated among members of the panel of 15 Friday.
It calls for cooperation with Lebanon, the Security Council and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, according to a copy of the draft obtained by United Press International Thursday.
It also calls upon Syria to respond positively to Lebanon's request, "to delineate their common border, especially in the areas where the border is uncertain or disputed, and to establish full diplomatic relations and representation, noting that such measures would constitute a significant step towards asserting Lebanon's sovereignty and political independence."
The measure said such moves not only would improve relations between the neighboring nations, but also contribute to "stability in the region."
But, Fayssal Mekdad, vice foreign minister of Syria who was visiting U.N. World Headquarters in New York, told UPI, "It is unnecessary, not constructive. It is a flagrant intervention into Lebanese internal affairs."
He added: "We believe if the proponents of this draft are sincere in their efforts and intentions towards Lebanon, they should stop it and withdraw it (the draft resolution)."
The measure was designed to further the council's Resolution 1559 of 2004 that called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. Syria had maintained a heavy military presence in Lebanon for 29 years, until last year, when the United Nations certified it had withdrawn. But there is still a presence of "Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias" thwarting Beirut's attempts to regain sovereignty over its territory.
