Region | Syria
Syrians indifferent to Lebanese ties
While the Lebanese are excited about receiving their first Syrian ambassador since independence from the French during World War II, most Syrians remain lukewarm.
- By Sami Moubayed, Correspondent
- Published: 00:11 October 20, 2008
Damascus: While the Lebanese are excited about receiving their first Syrian ambassador since independence from the French during World War II, most Syrians remain lukewarm.
Last week, Syria and Lebanon formally established diplomatic ties, but Syrians do not view the new relation through the same prism as the West.
Many Syrians still view Lebanon as a country that was artificially carved out by the Europeans in 1920.
"It is a sad day in my life," said Mustafa Al Saayyed, a business journalist, working at the independent daily, Al Watan. "Only now has the Sykes-Picot agreement been fully implemented," he said.
Territory
Raja Shurbaji, a writer and patron of the arts, spoke to Gulf News. She cited former Syrian president Shukri Al Quwatli's statement in 1946 when he demanded that Lebanon return all territory annexed to it by the French in 1920.
"We did not give, and they took nothing! We are part of one nation, gentlemen. I will never make such a request to the Lebanese, and if they want more land, let them come, take from us. There is no difference between Syria and Lebanon!" he said.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese have expressed great excitement over the cemented relations.
Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, said the exchange of ambassadors was a "miracle" and Marwan Hamadeh, a member of the March 14 coalition that was formally allied with Damascus, called it a "historical achievement".
Damascus is abuzz with speculation on who the first Syrian ambassador to Lebanon will be. Last week Foreign Minister Walid Al Mouallem denied rumours that his deputy Faisal Miqdad, Syria's former UN ambassador, would become the ambassador to Beirut.
A number of Syrian websites have mentioned the name of ambassador to Britain Sami Al Khiyami.
How do you foresee the future relations between Lebanon and Syria? Will diplomatic ties have a serious impact on the countries and thier relationship? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
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