AFP & Lebanon Daily Star: DAMASCUS: Lebanon and Syria agreed on Thursday to take formal steps to demarcate their borders as part of a string of decisions to normalize their relations for the first time after decades of tension. The announcement came as President Michel Sleiman wrapped up a landmark two-day visit to Damascus – the first by a Lebanese president since Syria ended almost 30 years of military domination over Lebanon in April 2005.
The two countries also pledged to examine the fate of hundreds of people missing since the 1975-1990 Lebanese Civil War – amid claims by rights groups that around 650 people who vanished during the war are being held in Syria.
Sleiman and Syrian President Bashar Assad also agreed to control their borders and curb “trafficking,” it was announced at a news conference by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh.
But a joint statement made no mention of weapons which Lebanon’s parliamentary majority says flow across the border and are intended for Hizbullah.
Relations between Lebanon and Syria have been tense since Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in a massive Beirut bomb attack in February 2005.
Damascus has repeatedly denied responsibility, despite claims by Lebanese anti-Syrian groups that it was involved.
Assad and Sleiman agreed “on setting up diplomatic relations between the two countries at the level of ambassadors,” the statement said, reiterating an announcement made at the start of Sleiman’s visit on Wednesday.
Salloukh said both countries will take steps next week to implement the decisions.
Syria and Lebanon have not had diplomatic ties since independence from colonial power France – Lebanon in 1943 and Syria in 1946 – but Assad and Sleiman agreed to establish relations during talks last month in Paris.
The United States cautiously welcomed the establishment of diplomatic ties between Syria and Lebanon. “One of the steps that has long been required is the establishment of a proper embassy for Syria in Lebanon and vice versa,” US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday.
“Now, if the Syrians will go ahead and demarcate the border between Lebanon and Syria, and respect [Lebanon's] sovereignty in other ways, then this will have proved to be a very good step,” she added.
Lebanon and Syria said they agreed “to reactivate the work of the joint committee to demarcate the Lebanese-Syrian borders within a mechanism and a set of priorities” and would take “administrative and technical steps.”
The borders are poorly delimited in certain places, particularly the Shebaa Farms, a mountainous sliver of water-rich Lebanese land at the junction of southeast Lebanon, southwest Syria and northern Israel. The 25-square-kilometer tract of farmland was seized by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war and is now claimed by Beirut with the backing of Damascus. Israel says the area is part of Syria.
Moallem insisted that Israel must end its occupation of the Shebaa Farms before the border can be marked. “It is not possible to mark the borders in Shebaa Farms as long as there is still Israeli occupation. The occupation must end,” he said.
Syria and Lebanon also agreed “to activate and step up the work of the joint committee on people missing from both countries” since the Lebanese civil war, pledging to take steps capable of “reaching results as soon as possible.” Joint statement issued following Sleiman-Assad talks DAMASCUS: Following is the joint statement issued on Thursday as part of efforts by Lebanon and Syria to normalize relations for the first time, as Lebanese President Michel Sleiman ended his landmark visit to Damascus.
During the official visit of Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to Syria to meet President Bashar Assad on August 13-14, 2008, the two heads of state discussed bilateral ties “thoroughly”and stressed the need to promote and develop relations in a manner that benefits both countries.
The two heads of state noted the positive developments on the Lebanese political scene especially after the Doha Agreement succeeded in preserving Lebanon’s national unity, its security, and stability.
The Lebanese and Syrian presidents also stressed the need to promote and encourage upcoming dialogue sessions chaired by the Lebanese president.
The two heads of state highlighted their commitment to strengthen Lebanese-Syrian relations, whereby the sovereignty and independence of both countries would be respected.
In order to fulfill all the aforementioned objectives the Lebanese and Syrian sides agreed on the following:
l The establishment of diplomatic relations at the level of ambassadors.
l Reactivating the work of the Lebanese-Syrian committee to demarcate the Lebanese-Syrian borders, according to a “timetable and schedule of priorities agreed upon by both sides.”
l Working jointly to control the borders and fight against trafficking and all operations which breach the law. Also, working on enhancing the cooperation between the concerned authorities in Syria and Lebanon so that border control becomes swift, precise, and effective.
l Activating a joint committee to investigate cases of people missing from both countries and to put in place mechanisms likely to reach quick and conclusive results. Both countries will also closely follow up on developments concerning investigations.
l Reviewing bilateral agreements which currently exist between the two countries in an objective manner, and in light of new developments that have taken place in the two countries.
l Taking necessary measures to activate commercial exchanges and create a common economic market.
