Published Date:
14 August 2008
SYRIA and Lebanon yesterday agreed to establish full diplomatic ties for the first time, in a step towards easing tensions between them.
Michel Suleiman, the Lebanese president, was given a red-carpet welcome in Damascus by the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, the first visit after a turbulent three years.
Tension has been high since the 2005 assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister, Rafik Hariri.
Syria's reluctance to establish ties has long been seen as proof it never gave up historic claims that its smaller neighbour is part of its territory and that it still aims to dominate Lebanon.
"The two presidents… have instructed their foreign ministers to take the necessary steps," said Buthaina Shaaban, an adviser to Mr Assad.
Hours before Mr Suleiman flew to Damascus, a bomb exploded in Tripoli, the scene of fierce street fighting between pro- and anti-Syria supporters since May.
The Arab neighbours are set to normalise relations for the first time since they gained independence from France in the 1940s.
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Last Updated:
13 August 2008 11:57 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
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Related Topics:
Syria
,
Lebanon
