LEBANON/SYRIA: Cautious optimism as Lebanon and Syria agree to normalise relations

Record ID: 279603

  • Title: LEBANON/SYRIA: Cautious optimism as Lebanon and Syria agree to normalise relations
  • Date: 13th July 2008
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF NEWSPAPERS
  • Embargoed: 28th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Reuters ID: LVA17GH06MKMYDN6VFHS50HJ0NIZ
  • Story Text: As Damascus and Beirut prepare to normalise relations, people living in the two capitals are cautiously optimistic about the agreement.
    Lebanese differed on Sunday (July 13) in their opinion of a new agreement between their country and Syria to establish formal ties for the first time since Lebanon's independence from France in 1943.
    Syria had been a long-time powerbroker in Lebanon but was forced to shrink its influence and withdraw its forces from the its tiny neighbour in 2005, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, which many blamed Damascus for.
    Syria has consistently denied any role in the killing.
    ''I don't see why it's important. It seems that Lebanese and Syrian relations are going back to having very strong ties. Exchanging diplomatic relations is not going to solve anything,'' said Samir al-Masri, echoing the suspicion among many Lebanon that Damascus is regaining its pre-2005 influence.
    Syria is a main backer of Hezbollah whose opposition camp in May succeeded in overpowering pro-government supporters militarily and gain key political gains by securing veto power in a the new government.
    The agreement between Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was announced in France on the sidelines of the French-inspired Mediterranean Union Summit. It was the first meeting between the two leaders since Suleiman was elected president in May in a Qatar-mediated deal that followed deadly fighting in Beirut.
    ''I think it's a very good step. Syria and Lebanon are neighbouring and sister countries but there should be formal ties out of respect for other countries. And each country should enforce its ideas on its own people. So there is nothing wrong with it,'' said Adnan Harakeh, a passer-by in the busy Hamra street.
    One Lebanese said that although he recognized the need to establish diplomatic ties with Syria, this should not affect the close nature of the ties between the two.
    ''I am with exchanging ties with Syria as two countries who respect each other. But if this means that ties with Syria should be as formal as ties with America then I don't want it. I don't want going to Syria to become like going to America,'' said Hussein.
    In Damscus, shop owner Osama Salameh says he hopes that the deal will lead to a lasting peace in the Middle East.

    "No doubt the visit will have positive result for the Middle East.
    We hope the region emerges from the state of war to peace," said Salameh.
    News of the agreement dominated the front pages of local and Arab newspapers. A headline in the daily Al Balad read: ''Normalization between Lebanon and Syria begins in Paris.'' France had also treated Syria as a virtual pariah state following the assassination of Hariri, which Paris blamed on Damascus.
    Assad has rejected the accusation and relations with France improved this year after Syria helped end a long-running political stalemate in Lebanon by supporting a power-sharing deal among Lebanon's pro-Western and pro-Syrian factions.
    Sarkozy said he would visit Damascus in September.
    The establishment of embassies would amount to a Syrian recognition of Lebanon's sovereignty.
    Lebanese do not require visa to enter Syrian territory and vice versa.
    END
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