Lebanese President Michel Suleiman was quoted by the National News Agency (NNA) Monday as saying that there are positive developments regarding the Egyptian-Syrian rapprochement, adding that such a step would improve inter-Arab relations.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told reporters on the sidelines of the Arab League Summit in Libya on Sunday that his country’s “problem with Egypt should be resolved.,”

According to Suleiman, pushing for the full implementation of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative is a clear indication that Arabs want a permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

He criticized Israel by stressing that it opposes regional peace negotiations by extending its settlement activity in annexed East Jerusalem and attempting to “Judaize” the city, referring to including Muslim holy sites in an Israeli national heritage plan.