Lebanese PM rejects Olmert's talks invite

Lebanese prime minister Fuad Saniora today rejected his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert’s call for direct peace talks between the two countries.

A statement from Saniora’s office said he “had announced more than once that Lebanon would be the last Arab country to sign peace with Israel".

“Real peace should come with Israel’s acceptance of an Arab peace initiative proposed by (then) Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah and that was adopted by an Arab summit conference in Beirut” in March 2002, the statement said.

“In this context, it has become clear that, as a first step to prove its desire for peace, Israel should withdraw from occupied Lebanese lands, including the Chebaa Farms and fully apply UN. Security Resolution 1701,” the statement added.

Olmert made his proposal in a speech at the opening of the Israeli parliament’s winter session.