Middle East News

Mar 16, 2009, 13:08 GMT

Lebanon opens embassy in Damascus for the first time

Damascus/Beirut - Lebanon on Monday opened an embassy in neighbouring Syria for the first time ever in a step toward normalizing relations. The move comes after the two countries agreed earlier this year to establish diplomatic ties for the first time since both gained independence from France in 1943. Lebanese Charge d'Affaires Rami Murtada raised the flag over the embassy headquarters in Abu Rummaneh neighborhood in Damascus. Lebanese ambassador to Syria, Michelle Khoury, is to arrive in Damascus at a later date, according to a Lebanese Foreign Ministry source. Khoury is currently Lebanon's ambassador to Cyprus. Syria used to dominate Lebanese politics for 30 years until the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, the uproar over which led to the withdrawal of Syrian forces. Hariri's assassination was widely blamed by his allies on Damascus, a charge Syria continues to deny. Syria has in the past resisted establishing diplomatic ties with Lebanon, saying the two countries had a special relationship. For much of Lebanon's history, Syria has pulled the strings in Lebanon's political and economic arenas. Critics of Syria, including France and the United States, said that by resisting normal diplomatic relations, Syria was trying to undermine Lebanese sovereignty. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on October 15, 2008 decreed the opening of diplomatic relations with Lebanon, and a Syrian embassy was opened in Beirut on December 26. Damascus has yet to name an ambassador.

And Also

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups - PopEater
360 Live support now available via Apple App Store - The Tech Herald
Woody Allen Gets His First Lady - Cinema Blend
Guide to Avoiding Red Carpet Faux Pas - PopEater
A&E series 'Hoarders' and 'Intervention' premiere Monday, Nov. 30th, preview

Your Talkback on this Story

Similar articles

Lebanese, Syrian leaders agree to continue bilateral ties (Roundup)
Lebanese president heads to Damascus for talks
Lebanon welcomes appointment of Syrian ambassador
Lebanon tells Damascus it is time to begin border demarcation
Lebanon, Syria close to opening first embassies since 1943

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

Middle East: Index

: News; Features

Latest Pics

From Sites we Like

Church finds success using football to bring people to God, because football is real and can change people's lives [Silly]
British officials spend two years and $500,000 on study proving that 10-pin bowling is a health and safety hazard and should be banned [Asinine]

More Not News from Fark

In Monsters and Critics

: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Lifestyle; Movies; Music; News; People; Science & Nature; Sport; TV; Archives
Other Languages and Sites: Deutschland (Monsters and Critics); The Tech Herald; Free Games

Entertainment: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Movies; Music; People; Soundtracks; TV
Media: Celebrity Photos; Movie Pictures; Movie Trailers; Movie Posters; Theatre Stills; Celebrity Video; Music Video
Released this week: Movies - USA; Movies - UK; DVD - USA
Distractions: Online Games; Daily Crossword; Sudoku Classic; Daily Jigsaw

World News: US; UK; Americas; Europe; Middle East; Asia Pacific; South Asia; Africa; Business; Education; Health
Science and Tech: Science and Nature; Technology
Lifestyle: Autos; Fashion; Life; Travel

Corporate

: About; Advertise; Contact; The Team; Vacancies; Privacy; RSS; Site Map; Terms; Webmasters

The Fine Print

© 2003 - 2009 by Monsters and Critics.com, WotR Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All photos are copyright their respective owners and are used under license or with permission. * Note M&C cannot be held responsible for the content on other Web Sites.

Servers supplied by Servint