- Title: SYRIA: Syria and Lebanon agree diplomatic relations
- Date: 14th August 2008
- Summary: (BN13) DAMASCUS, SYRIA (AUGUST 13, 2008) (REUTERS) LEBANESE PRESIDENT MICHEL SULEIMAN AND HIS SYRIAN COUNTERPART BASHAR AL ASSAD LISTENING TO THE NATIONAL ANTHEMS OF THE TWO COUNTRIES LEBANESE PRESIDENT MICHEL SULEIMAN AND HIS SYRIAN COUNTERPART BASHAR AL ASSAD REVIEWING SYRIAN HONOUR GUARDS
- Embargoed: 29th August 2008 13:00
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- Reuters ID: LVA15905X7Y2BGGQDX8AN2GLBDVU
- Story Text: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman agreed on Wednesday (August 13) to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, a Syrian official said.
The two countries announced last month that they intended to open diplomatic relations for the first time. Wednesday's agreement formally set those ties on the highest level.
"The two presidents...have instructed their foreign ministers to take the necessary steps in this regard, starting from today," Buthaina Shaaban, an adviser to President Assad said.
Suleiman arrived in Damascus on Wednesday for a two-day official visit -- the first by a Lebanese president since 2005.
It was Suleiman's first visit to Syria since his election in May as part of a Qatari-mediated deal that defused a bitter political conflict between an anti-Syrian majority coalition and an alliance of groups backed by Damascus.
Suleiman, who has been army chief before his election, was received at the hilltop palace overlooking Damascus.
He was appointed head of Lebanon's military when Syria still controlled the country and describes his ties with Damascus as excellent.
Syria's opponents in Lebanon, including Saudi-backed politician Saad al-Hariri, have accused Damascus of assassinating Rafik al-Hariri and other anti-Syrian figures and fomenting instability since its withdrawal. Syria denies the allegations.
In a sign of lingering insecurity in Lebanon, a bomb in the northern city of Tripoli killed at least 18 on Wednesday, including nine soldiers.
Syria condemned the attack. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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