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Lebanon, Syria In Accord

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 13, 2008

PARIS - France's president said Saturday that Syria and Lebanon will open embassies in each other's countries for the first time. But Syria's leader cautioned there is still work to be done before that can happen.

Syria and Lebanon have not had full-fledged embassies in each other's countries since Lebanon became independent in 1943 and Syria in 1945. Syria dominated Lebanon for almost three decades until 2005, keeping tens of thousands of troops stationed in its smaller neighbor.
Syrian President Bashar Assad said last month that establishing diplomatic ties with Lebanon would be possible if a national unity Cabinet were formed in Beirut between the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority and the opposition led by Syrian ally Hezbollah. The unity government was formed Friday after weeks of haggling.

"President Bashar al-Assad's will to open diplomatic representation in Lebanon is historic progress," Sarkozy told reporters at a news conference after he met Assad and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman separately.

Assad was more cautious on the opening of embassies, however, saying both countries must "define the steps to take to arrive at this stage."

"Naturally, there are a certain number of legal questions to be resolved on the Syrian side. ... That explain delays on the road to realization," Sarkozy said. He did not suggest a time frame.
Suleiman said he wants to improve ties.

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