Michel Suleiman invited to Damascus
Beirut (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Lebanese President Michel Suleiman will soon visit Syria to discuss establishing diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries after Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem handed Suleiman an invitation to Damascus. According to Lebanese media, Suleiman could travel to Syria within ten days in what would be the first official visit by a Lebanese president to Syria in more than three years
At the start of the month under French sponsorship, Syria and Lebanon agreed to establish diplomatic relations, paving the way for the opening of their respective embassies in each other’s capital for the first time since independence from French colonial rule more than 60 years ago.
Syria, which has always considered Lebanon as part of its jurisdiction, dominated Lebanon for 30 years with a massive military presence until Lebanese uproar and international pressure forced it to pull out on suspicion of being behind the February 2005 assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.
Damascus still enjoys good ties with powerful allies in Beirut, especially the Shiite Muslim Hizbollah group, which is also backed by Iran.
In their meeting Suleiman and Mouallem discussed the fate of Lebanese who disappeared after they were allegedly detained in Syrian jails in Lebanon during the 1975-1990 civil war.
Relatives of some of the hundreds of missing organised demonstrations at Beirut airport and along the road to Baabda Presidential Palace to put pressure on Mouallem.
Syria’s foreign minister said a joint committee to deal with the issue would be set up but that more time was needed before a final resolution.
“Those who have waited more than 30 years since the start of the (Lebanese) civil war can wait another few weeks,” he noted.
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