Syria and Lebanon Establish Ties

Syria and Lebanon formally established diplomatic ties on Wednesday for the first time since independence 60 years ago, turning a new page in relations between Beirut and its powerful one-time powerbroker. A statement signed by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and visiting Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Salloukh announced “the launch of diplomatic relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Lebanese republic effective today, October 15, 2008.”