Five important statements were made in a single day, from and concerning Syria. … [The] statements contradict one another; on the one hand Syria is betting on Iran, while on the other hand the Syrians are saying that they want to resume [indirect] negotiations with Israel, cooperate with the Hariri tribunal, and that should the Saudi monarch visit Damascus he will receive a warm welcome. So what is happening? … [An Arab source] added that the Syrian praise of Iran is “by way of not speaking ill of the dead” as he believes that the Syrians have made a choice to move away from Tehran, opening the door to the Americans, which is something that can be verified by the recent diplomatic action taken by Syria.
Damascus sent Khalid Mishal to Cairo [to take part in inter-Palestinian dialogue] which is a positive step towards improving relations with the Egyptians following the improvement in Syrian-Saudi relations. The Syrians also warmly greeted President Mahmoud Abbas [during his recent visit to Damascus] and Mishal also postponed delivering a scheduled speech to the Syrian capital.
As for Lebanon, an urgent question is now being asked; Does Syrian cooperation with the Hariri Tribunal mean that there is potential reconciliation on the horizon between the Syrians and Saad al-Hariri?
My source tells me, “There are two stages in Lebanon, a stage prior to Der Spiegal, and a stage following it.” We are, of course, talking about the article published by the German Der Spiegel magazine that accused Hezbollah of being behind the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri. This [article] has dissipated a lot of the pressure on Damascus. Therefore the question that is yet to be answered is: Are we witnessing the beginning of a state where action can be taken as if Iran is not present? Access the full article>>
