Lebanese Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun said he did not oppose direct talks between Lebanon and Israel if Syria were involved, local Daily Star reported Monday.
"We don't mind direct negotiations with Israel if Syria is sitting at the same table," said Aoun, who heads Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement in the opposition bloc.
Aoun said there will be improvement in relations between him and the U.S. administration after Barack Obama takes office in January, which deteriorated following an understanding document he signed with Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah in 2006, the report added.
"We will fix our relations with the United States as soon as we have the opportunity," Aoun said.
Earlier report said Aoun has rejected former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Jeffery Filtman's request to disengage his alliance with the Syria-backed Hezbollah, a leading bloc of the Lebanese opposition.
Aoun seems on the persona non grata list in U.S. diplomacy as many American officials, including U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale, who paid a two-day visit to Lebanon last week, excluded talks with Aoun during their visits to Lebanon.
Syria and Israel are now engaged in indirect talks under Turkey's mediation. Four rounds of Turkey-brokered negotiations between them have been carried out since the three sides confirmed in mid-May the renewal of the peace process.
Yet a fifth round, originally planned in September, has been on hold due to Israel's political turmoil.
Source: Xinhua
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