Syrian President Assad Signs Decree Establishing Diplomatic Relations With Lebanon

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has given final approval to the establishment of diplomatic relations with Lebanon, after intense pressure from both France and the United States. Damascus had never formally recognized its smaller neighbor since both countries gained independence from France in 1943. Edward Yeranian has this report from Beirut.
　 Bashar al-Assad

After months of pressure from the United States, France and a host of Arab governments, Syrian President Bashar al Assad has agreed to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon, signing an official decree announcing the opening of a Syrian embassy in Beirut.

Both Syria and Lebanon gained independence from France in 1943. Damascus, in the years since, never officially recognized Lebanon as a sovereign state.

Syrian troops occupied large regions of Lebanon in 1976, during the height of the Lebanese civil war, finally agreeing to withdraw in 2005 after the slaying of former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. Damascus denies any responsibility in the killing.

Former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad often referred to Lebanon as part of a so-called "greater Syria," which includes Jordan and Palestine. To this day, Syria considers that there is a special bond with Lebanon, as Professor Hilal Kashan, head of the Political Science Department at the American University of Beirut, pointed out.

He said, "Syria considers Lebanon its soft belly. It sees it as the first defense line to protect the regime in Damascus. It doesn"t really matter who comes to power in Syria. Lebanon is seen as a special country, first for being part of Greater Syria, and second, because it"s extremely important for Syria"s domestic stability."

Some Lebanese political leaders who oppose Syria have suggested that Damascus is hoping to re-occupy Lebanon, especially after reports last month that Syria had deployed over 10,000 troops along Lebanon"s northern border. Damascus insists that its troops are intended merely to "combat smuggling" between the two countries.

Professor Kashan, nevertheless, called the Syrian decision to recognize Lebanon a "milestone," but said that Damascus will continue its current strategy of putting pressure on Lebanon. "Now the event in itself does not really mean much. For the Syrians, this represents a tactic. Their strategy towards Lebanon will not be altered as a result of the decree - the presidential decree - to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon."

Al-Arabiya TV reports that Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh will visit Damascus tomorrow to announce a formal date for the opening of Syria"s Embassy in Beirut.