Appointment of Syrian Ambassador Contributes to Lebanon Stability, Sarkozy Agrees
The appointment of the first-ever Syrian ambassador to Beirut was welcomed by U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams who said it would contribute to Lebanon”s stability.
Syria has named Ali Abdel Karim Ali its first ambassador to Lebanon and President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday approved his appointment.
The appointment was "a really welcome development," Williams said.
"It”s very timely and completes the process of establishing diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon," he said, adding that "I”ve no doubt that this will further contribute to stability in Lebanon."
Lebanon opened its first embassy in Damascus last week and named Michel Khoury as ambassador. Syria opened its Beirut embassy last year, but without appointing an ambassador.
Meanwhile, Elysee Palace issued a statement describing the move as "historic."
The appointment "represents a historic change on the road to normal relations between the two countries," the statement said.