Beirut, (SANA) _The Syrian-Lebanese relations are historic, we are brothers, and we have opened new page in our relations with Syria since the formation of the government, said Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.

In an interview with the Middle East Newspaper published on Monday, al-Hariri added "We visited Damascus and there were clear and honest talks on continuing the historic brotherly relations binding the two countries which have been built on frankness and clarity, serving the best interests of the two countries and people."

Al-Hariri went on to say the two countries have strategic relations in the economic, social, security, defense and political levels, particularly in regional issues and in light of the Israeli obstinacy, and this imposes on us to protect Lebanon and the region, and from this point, we must have a clear vision on how to converge matters within an Arab consensus based on the Arab peace initiative.

He considered that coordination among the Arab countries is a duty, as it is the case regarding Syria and Lebanon which are facing Israel's aggression, occupation of their territories and constant threats against them.

Al-Hariri stressed "The Syrian-Lebanese cooperation is vital for us and this is what I heard from President Bashar al-Assad. This cooperation must be continuous, and the instability in Lebanon means the instability in Syria and vise versa. There are positive steps achieved in the bilateral relations. We must invest the good relations and build on them in all domains."

He said" We considered the mistakes we have committed against Syria which harmed the Syrian people and the relations between the two countries, and we have committed mistakes somewhere…We accused Syria of assassinating the late Rafik al-Hariri, and this political charge had ended. There are some people who misled the investigation, harmed Syria, and us as a family and Lebanon, and destroyed the bilateral relations and politicized the assassination."

Al-Hariri affirmed that there is no backtracking on enhancing cooperation between the two countries and looking for better future between them, pointing out that Syria is a gate for Lebanon into the Arab markets and an important Arab market,"we have common interests."

"When we go to Syria, we feel that we are going to a brotherly and friendly country, and today we and President al-Assad are satisfied with the current situation of the bilateral relations," he added.

Al-Hariri considered that the tripartite summit between President al-Assad, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and President Michel Sleiman that was held in Beirut constituted a net of security in the Lebanese and Arab reality, indicating that the Lebanese national unity makes Lebanon at the peak of its strength.

Ruaa al-Jazaeri/ Ghossoun