Syria Calls for Overthrow of Lebanon’s Government 18 November 2005

On November 15, the Syrian government, through the state-run newspaper Tishreen called for the overthrow of Sanoria’s Lebanon government.  Tishreen called for the escalation riots taking place in Lebanon over high diesel prices to be expanded into a revolution.

The call for the overthrow of Sanoria’s government was widely condemned in Lebanese local media as interference in Lebanon’s domestic affairs by Syria.  In Bahrain, Sanoria responded, “We don’t want to interfere in Syria’s affairs and we don’t want them to interfere in our affairs.”  Before leaving for Bahrain, Sanoria asked Hezbollah to investigate ways to lower gas prices.  This was described by some as “putting the ball in Hezbollah’s court” because Hezbollah would be the likely party to call for protests.

Sources:
Lebanese Lobby

Khaleej Times (UAE), November 16