Press encounter following meeting with Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, (unofficial transcript)

SG: Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. I have just come out of a talk with speaker Berri and as you could probably guess, we talked about the situation in southern Lebanon, the restructuring of the UN forces, the violations of the Blue Line and the planes that come in daily and he appealed to the UN to ensure that these violations stop. We talked also about the demining process which is being undertaken under the UN's auspices and the generous contribution of Sheikh Zayed of the United Arab Emirates and also the need to do whatever we can to try and improve the economic conditions in southern Lebanon and encourage the donors to assist as well as try to attract investments. We also touched on the question of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and the future of comprehensive peace talks in the region and the prospects of such peace. Now I will take your questions.

Q: Excellence, que pensez-vous des menaces israeliennes au forces syriennes si Hizbullah continue sa resistance aux fermes de Shebaa. (translation: Excellency, what do you think of the Israeli threats on the Syrian forces if Hizbullah continues its resistance in the Shebaa Farms?)

SG: J'ai eu l'occasion de discuter ca avec Mr. Berri et j'aurai l'occasion de discuter ca avec premier ministre Sharon. Je crois que ce qu'il faut faire c'est d'eviter d'incidences sur la ligne bleue. On doit eviter toute sorte de violation, provocation, pour pouvoir continuer a calmer la situation.

Q: ( Khalil Fleihan from An-Nahar) Did you persuade Mr. Berri about Farms of Shabaa (inaudible)?

SG: No I did not persuade him. He has his position and the UN has its position. (Laughter). *****