CAIRO: Egypt on Thursday hailed Syria and Lebanon s establishment of diplomatic ties for the first time since independence 60 years ago as a step in the right direction.
Egypt is relieved by the announcement of setting up diplomatic relations between these two neighbor states, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in a statement.
This is a step in the right direction, he said, calling on Damascus and Beirut to take other steps to consolidate the relationship … with respect for each other s sovereignty.
Syria and Lebanon on Wednesday announced the launch of diplomatic relations effective immediately, with the two neighbors set to open embassies in each other s capitals before the end of the year.
Syria has long held back from recognizing the hiving off of some of its territory by colonial power France before World War II to form a separate Lebanese state with a privileged position for its French-protected Maronite Christian community.
Syria was the main powerbroker in Lebanon for three decades until it was forced to withdraw its troops in 2005. Since then ties have been often fractious with accusations by the anti-Damascus parliamentary majority in Lebanon of Syrian meddling in the country s affairs. -AFP
