Syria must stay out of Lebanon

Syria and Lebanon are painfully edging towards fully normalised diplomatic relations. Having agreed in October that they would establish diplomatic ties for the first time since they both gained independence 60 years ago, they were due to appoint their ambassadors by the end of this year. Lebanon has just named its choice for Damascus, and Syria is supposed to appoint its man for Beirut, which shows that the process has not stalled.

But appointing ambassadors is only a first step, and full normal relations means that Syria has to stop meddling in Lebanese politics. It withdrew its armed forces from Lebanon after nearly three decades in April 2005, two months after the murder in Beirut of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Hariri led to widespread anti-Syrian marches.

Since then an anti-Syrian coalition has governed Lebanon, but the general elections in June next year could well give a large vote to pro-Syrian Hezbollah, which would allow the present opposition parties to form a government. It will be a decisive test of both Lebanese politics and Syrian intentions to make sure that Lebanese politics stay Lebanese, and do not drift back into Syrian dominance as happened before the Cedar Revolution.