Lebanon's new PM in Syria to smooth strained ties

Syria and Lebanon agreed yesterday to set their tense relations back on track, months after Damascus withdrew its forces from its tiny neighbour amid furious anti-Syrian protests.

Leading Lebanon's first government since Syria ended its 29-year military presence in April, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to patch up ties a day after winning a confidence vote in Parliament.

"The two sides reaffirmed anew their commitment to work to build Syrian-Lebanese relations based on mutual respect, away from anything that could affect the special relations between the two brotherly countries," they said in a joint statement.

"The brotherly countries are eager to deepen cooperation and interaction, exchange and solidarity through harmonious consultation and sincere and constructive cooperation within the framework of the sovereignty and independence of both."

In his first official visit, Mr Siniora raised the issue of easing Syria's tough new border controls, which have brought Lebanese overland exports to a near standstill in recent weeks.

Mr Siniora said at a joint news conference with his counterpart Naji al-Otari the two countries had resolved the issue of border delays that have inflicted heavy financial losses on Lebanese exporters deprived of their only open land route.

"I will return to Lebanon satisfied about all the steps that should be made to fortify this relationship," said Mr Siniora.

Syria says the curbs are a security measure after customs officials found explosives on a truck bound for its territory.

But the Lebanese see the step as retaliation for the anti-Syrian sentiment unleashed by the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in a Beirut car bombing in February.

Many Lebanese blamed Syria, which kept a tight grip on its neighbour's politics after the 1975-1990 civil war, for the killing. Damascus denies any role.

In an apparent reference to anti-Syrian politicians, Mr Otari said: "Anyone who bargains on breaking Syrian-Lebanese ties will lose. The Almighty united the mountains, rivers and meadows between Lebanon and Syria and no one can change his will."

Mr Otari also told reporters he and Mr Siniora had discussed reports of a meeting by members of the Muslim Brotherhood movement in Lebanon that sought to undermine Syria's security. He did not give further details.

Syria barred the movement in 1980 after crushing a revolt by Muslim militants opposed to its Baathist rule.

"The Syrian side welcomes the new Lebanese government's policy statement regarding Lebanon's commitment not to become a passage or base for any organisation, power or country that targets its security or that of Syria," the statement said.

Though the Lebanese Cabinet is dominated by critics of Damascus, reflecting the wave of protests that swept the country after Mr Hariri's death, it includes a member of the pro-Syrian Hizbollah group for the first time and has pledged balanced and solid ties with its larger neighbour.