Syria, Lebanon formalize diplomatic ties

[October 15, 2008]  DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- The foreign ministers of Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement Wednesday formalizing diplomatic ties between the two countries for the first time in their turbulent history.

The signing comes a day after Syrian President Bashar Assad issued a decree establishing diplomatic relations with its smaller neighbor -- a long-standing demand of the U.S. and Lebanese politicians opposed to Syria's influence in the country.

The two countries have not had formal diplomatic relations since both gained independence from France in the 1940s, which many Lebanese viewed as a result of Syria's refusal to recognize Lebanon's sovereignty.

Recognition of Lebanon could help Syrian aspirations to build trust with the West as it pursues indirect talks with Israel, mediated through Turkey.

The document announcing the start of diplomatic relations was signed in Damascus on Wednesday by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh.

The two nations pledged to strengthen bilateral relations "based on mutual respect for each country's sovereignty and independence," according to the signed document.

"We hope that the exchange of diplomatic representation will be a window to bolster bilateral relations," said al-Moallem at a press conference following the signing.

Embassies will be set up in Damascus and Beirut before the end of the year, he added.

In August, Lebanon and Syria agreed to establish ties and demarcate their contentious border. That landmark agreement, which came during an official visit by Lebanon's president to Damascus, and Assad's formal decree Tuesday, also mark a final break in Syria's longtime dominance over its smaller neighbor.

Damascus had controlled Lebanon for 30 years before it was forced to withdraw troops in 2005.

Lebanon's Western-backed prime minister, Fuad Saniora, praised the development Tuesday as an "advanced and historic step on the road to confirming Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and its free decision-making."

Some observers believe Syria is more comfortable dealing with Lebanon's government now that its ally Hezbollah has gained veto power in a Lebanese unity government that was formed in July. In May, Lebanon installed a president sympathetic to Syria.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack welcomed the development as "a positive step" but said important tasks remain, such as defining the countries' border.

Relations between the two Arab nations have been lopsided in Syria's favor since the 1970s, when Syria sent its army into Lebanon and maintained control there for nearly 30 years. Ties unraveled when former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in a 2005 car bombing that many Lebanese blame on Syria -- a charge Syria denies.

After Hariri's assassination, Syria caved to U.S.-led international pressure and withdrew its troops from Lebanon.

[Associated Press; By ALBERT AJI]

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