Lebanon and Syria Launch Diplomatic Ties

Source: Al-Manar TV, 15-10-2008
Syria and Lebanon formally launched diplomatic ties on Wednesday for the first time since independence 60 years ago, the official SANA news agency said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh signed a joint statement "announcing the launch of diplomatic relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Lebanese republic effective today, October 15, 2008," SANA said.
"The statement reaffirms the determination of both parties to reinforce and consolidate their relations on the basis of mutual respect, the sovereignty and independence of each and to preserve privileged fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries in order to respond to the aspiration of both peoples," the statement added.
The move comes a day after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a presidential decree to open relations with Lebanon. The two states had announced in August their intention to establish ties, following a pledge by Assad and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman in Paris in July.
"Progress being made in terms of bilateral relations between Lebanon and Syria... is a historic step forward on the road to affirm and solidify Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and free decision-making," Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Saniora said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said hoped the move was "a prelude to a new page (in relations) that will benefit both Lebanon and Syria, having learned from lessons and experiences of the past."