Azerbaijan, Baku, 23 July/ Trend , corr U. Sadigova, E. Tariverdiyeva/ The restoration of diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon can help Damascus not only to strengthen its political power in Lebanon, but also to reject charges of murder of the Premier Rafik Hariri, which will contribute to the political stabilization in the region.
"The decision by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad to establish formal diplomatic relations with Lebanon is a clear indication that Syria finally feels safe enough to do so, i.e. that Damascus has achieved its goals in Lebanon against the anti-Syrian forces," David W. Lesch, professor of Trinity University of US said.
The foreign minister of Syria Valid Al-Muallim stated during his official visit to Beirut on 21 July that Syria and Lebanon have agreed to restore diplomatic relations. Both parties have decided to exchange ambassadors soon, Aljazeera reported on 22 July.
However, it is likely that the position of Syria in Lebanon can strengthen after the relations are restored. According to the US expert, Syria had influence in Lebanon, but it weakened to a great extent after three-year lack of relations.
According to Lesch, Lebanese president in power, Michel Suleiman, who is friendly with both Syria and its ally in Lebanon, Hizbullah; Suleiman is also clearly not a pawn of the anti-Syrian March 14 coalition or its external backers, the United States and Saudi Arabia, and he is an inveterate foe of Israel.
"The Cabinet make-up has been re-apportioned in line with the interests of President Suleiman. Hezbollah obtained veto power which will use it once the parties restore the relations fully," Lesch said to Trend by e-mail.
Many Arab experts describe the current visit of Syrian Minister Al-Muallim's visit to Beirut as a historical event for both parties.
Lebanon and Syria are important geo-strategic partners. According to the independent Syria expert Akram Huzam, the restoration of relations will lead to the development of economy and trade between the two countries. This move by Syria must not be described as an attempt to interfere with the internal policy of Lebanon, expert said.
" Syria is ready to forgive accusations toward it of the attempt of coup-d'eta in Lebanon and murder of premier Rafik Hariri. The stability in the region is important for Damascus," Huzam said to Trend by telephone from Damascus.
The official Beirut, which attaches special importance to the talks with Syria, discussed this issue in the legislative body of the country. According to the Lebanese expert Karim Karim, this process between Lebanon and Syria is going on the government level, but not at the will of individuals or groupings as many believe in West. According to expert, the restoration of the Syrian-Lebanese relations will put an end to the contradictions between the two countries which sparked as a result of the accusations toward Syria of the murder of Lebanese Premier Hariri. The Lebanese constitutional act on cooperation and development of relations with Syria after the death of Hariri and withdrawal of the Syrian troops was dissolved as a lot of doubts appeared as concerning these relations, Karimi said.
According to expert, the restoration of relations with the neighboring states, especially with Lebanon is key to the foreign policy of Damascus at the background of the current talks between Syria and West and Israel which began after the Mediterranean summit in Paris.
According to the US expert, the U.S. is about the only country to still maintain this isolation policy of Asad regime even the Israelis have opened up to Damascus of late with the negotiations with Syria through Turkish mediation. By restoring relations, Syria will continue to have a great deal of influence in Lebanon, although it may become more formalized than what it has been in the past, especially if Syrian-Israeli talks proceed toward a peace agreement, US expert said. However, the Arab experts disagree on this issue.
The independent Syrian expert Husni Mahalli believes that the relations will be restored on the diplomatic level, therefore, no non-governmental groupings will be involved in this issue. According to expert, two nations, who live side by side with each other, should not conflict even if there are disagreements between their governments. Many nations and representatives of various faiths living in Lebanon are maintaining friendly relations with Syria, he said.
According to Mahalli, precisely the interference of Syria helped Lebanon to reverse a number of political crises within the country.
"The civil war in Lebanon in 1975 was put an end by the intervention of the Syrian troops. Therefore, the Christians, Armenians, Shiites and Sunnites living in Lebanon maintain friendly relations with Syria," Mahalli said to Trend on a telephone from Istanbul.
The expert stressed that Damascus does not need special ways to enhance its influence in Lebanon.
Though US is still maintaining its position toward Syria, many Western states admitted that but for Syria, there would not be stability in the region.
"France and its allies, who originally accused Syria of destabilization in Lebanon, offered President Asad to hold talks on restoration of relations," Mahalli said.
The diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon was cut off after the assassination of the authoritative Lebanese politician Rafik Hariri in 2005. Syria's being suspected of this assassination, compelled France and whole European Union to free relations with Damascus.
The UN investigation pointed to the part of the Syrian officials and their Lebanese allies in the assassination of the Lebanese Premier. In March, UN investigators published a report which said that the murder of Hariri was committed by the criminal group, but Syria's being part of this conspiracy has not been proved yet.
The presidents of Syria and Lebanon reached agreement to restore diplomatic relations with the French mediation during the Mediterranean summit on 14 July in Paris.
" Damascus and Beirut have two ways out of the situation: they will either reconcile or to conflict with each-other for eternity," the Lebanese expert Karim said.
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