Many observers saw the visit of President Michel Suleiman to Damascus on August 13-14 as a starting point for better relations. The visit was the first between the two heads of state since Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon in April 2005, ending three decades of domination of Lebanon. The agenda of the visit featured important issues such as border demarcation, a review of a long-standing treaty and accords, Lebanese detainees and prisoners in Syria, the opening of embassies and the presence of pro-Syrian Palestinian groups in Lebanon. …
Yet the main and only meaningful outcome of the Damascus summit was the decision to instruct foreign ministers Walid Muallem and Fawzi Salloukh to take the necessary steps to establish diplomatic ties and exchange ambassadors. All the other issues … were left to be discussed later. This outcome left many analysts with the feeling that the Syrian leadership does not really intend to change its behavior toward its smaller neighbor. …
Reconciliation and repair of relations between Lebanon and Syria depend on Syria’s ability to recognize all the developments that have occurred in Lebanon since the Hariri assassination and to acknowledge the international position regarding Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty. There is a great need for a new Syrian political vision toward Lebanon: recognition of Lebanon as a sovereign, independent state and realization that Syria’s ongoing attempts to foment instability will have negative consequences for both countries. Access the full article>>
