Arab heavyweights look with concern at Syria's relationship with Iran

Dubai: Syria is facing turbulent times in its relations with the outside world and its place in a region where rival powers have been competing for power and influence.

It is technically in a permanent state of war with one of its neighbours and has seen wars rage in two of its other neighbours lately.

Its closest ally is often threatened with war over its nuclear programme and its relations with the Arab world's heavyweights have been far from cordial.

At the centre of Syria's relations with some of its Arab neighbours is its role in Lebanon. Disagreements over Lebanon have polarised the Arab world, with Syria on one side and states supporting the Lebanese government on the other. Disagreements that would be kept behind the scenes have turned into public spats in recent times.

Supporters of the government, led by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, have been increasingly vocal in criticising Syria in their belief that the Lebanese opposition is stalling the election of a president with the support of Syria. Damascus says its allies in Lebanon are not 'tools' that can be influenced easily.

The deadlock over Lebanon's presidency has been going on for months and the vote has been postponed 14 times. The opposition, led by Hezbollah's and Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun, has demanded a right of veto in the next Cabinet as a prerequisite to supporting the election of army chief General Michel Suleiman as president. The ruling alliance has rejected the demand.

Tensions in Lebanon are at the highest now. Shortly after returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia, pro-government MP Walid Junblatt said in a press conference that his camp would "welcome" war with the opposition.

At a recent rally marking the third anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, his son and political heir Sa'ad suggested that an Arab League summit scheduled in Damascus next month should not take place until Lebanon gets a president.

His call hasn't been heeded thus far but there have been reports that Egypt and Saudi Arabia's leaders will not attend the summit.

Syria's complications with regional heavyweights do not end in Lebanon. Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia look at Syria's relations with Iran with deep concern, and their leaders have at times spoken publicly about it. This has even been reflected in news media affiliated with the governments of the trio, which have harshly criticised, and at times attacked, the Syrian government and its top officials.

There have been indications, however, that Damascus is more pragmatic than subservient when it comes to its relationship with Iran, most recently highlighted by Syria's attendance at an American sponsored peace conference with Israel last November despite the public displeasure of Tehran.