Spain says Syria willing to use influence on Hezbollah

Syria will exercise its influence on Hezbollah if “circumstances” change in Lebanon, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said today after meeting with Syria’s president.

“They (the Syrians) are going to exercise all their influence on Hezbollah, but the circumstances and political and military context of Lebanon must change,” Moratinos told reporters at the Damascus airport.

He met today with President Bashar Assad, and a day earlier with Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa.

“I came to Syria to ask Syria to be constructive in this very delicate and serious situation we are all facing. I received a positive answer from the Syrian government,” Moratinos said.

“It wants to be part of the solution. Syria doesn’t want to be part of the problem.”

“They (Syrian officials) also mentioned the need to reinforce and support the Lebanese government – the need to enforce unity for the Lebanese political forces,” he added.

Syria is widely believed to be one of Hezbollah’s primary benefactors, along with Iran.