Lebanon, Brazil stress political solution to Syrian crisis

Lebanon's Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil stressed Tuesday that the crisis in Syria cannot be solved by force, but through a comprehensive dialogue among the various components of the Syrian people.

"The only solution to the Syrian refugees crisis is the return to regions enjoying a good security situation in Syria," Bassil said in a joint press conference with his visiting Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira.

He stressed that the "dialogue and peaceful solution can only put an end to the ongoing Syrian crisis, and the Syrian people have to choose themselves their leaders and political regime in the frame of a free and independent Syria."

The Lebanese foreign minister also pointed out that the crisis of Syrian refugees "increased the challenges on the Lebanese institutions and the only solution would be their return to safe areas in Syria."

For his part, Vieira said Brazil "condemns terrorism and supports peaceful talks and independence of all countries and of course Syria."

He also stressed the deep historical relations between Lebanon and Brazil, saying "there are about six million Brazilian citizens of Lebanese origins and we are proud of these relations."

The Brazilian official said that Brazil's support to Lebanon increased during the past years through the donations provided by the government to the United Nations agencies working with the Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Vieira arrived in Lebanon on Monday night and met earlier Tuesday with Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri. Endit