Lebanon rules out negotiations

Lebanon yesterday ruled out any negotiations with Israel over its water resources, saying the Al Wazzani river is Lebanese and its water belongs to Lebanon.

"Lebanon will not take part in any negotiations over Al Wazzani river," said George Deeb, an adviser to the Lebanese President on international affairs.

"To negotiate means to compromise and Lebanon will not give up a single drop of Al Wazzani water. We do not accept mediators. If we allow the United States to mediate over the matter, they will say exactly what Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has told us which is to give up Al Wazzani river and use some of Al Litani river.

"We will not be dictated to by Israel or America on how to use our water inside our country," he said at a seminar on the Wazzani river held at the Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up in Abu Dhabi.

Deeb stressed that his country's right over Al Wazzani was recognised by international law, referring to the 1923 agreement between Britain (representing Palestine) and France(representing Leba-non).

"It is Israel, not Lebanon, that steals water. We are ready to welcome international experts to observe the situation regarding Al Wazzani," he said.

Deeb dismissed Tel Aviv's claims that Lebanon was diverting Al Wazzani water and depriving Israel of drinking water.

"There is a difference between using your legal portion of water and diverting the course of a river. Lebanon is using its share of the Al Wazzani's water which it has the right to do."

He accused Israel of stealing more than 100 million cubic metres of water from Lebanon's Al Litani river every year.

Deeb said he did not believe Israel would use force to resolve the crisis as it is sure to face strong resistance in southern Lebanon.

"Sharon warned that our actions surrounding Al Wazzani river could lead to war. Sharon does not warn, he strikes. He helped design the U.S.-led 'war on terrorism'... giving a warning now probably means that he is in a weak position," he added.

Deeb said he believed the U.S. would not move its "war on terrorism" to southern Lebanon for an attack on Hezbollah. "If the U.S. strikes Hezbollah it risks igniting a civil war which would harm American interests," he said.