Lebanon”s First Syria Ambassador Begins Work

Lebanon”s First Syria Ambassador Begins Work

Lebanon”s first ever ambassador to former powerbroker Syria began work on Thursday almost six months after the two neighbors set up diplomatic ties, Syria”s official news agency said.

Michel el-Khoury presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Walid Muallem marking the official start of his tenure in Syria, SANA news agency reported.

During the meeting they discussed "ways of developing relations to serve the interests of both countries," SANA news agency said.

Khoury, a career diplomat and former ambassador to Cyprus, was named at the start of the year and an embassy was opened in the Syrian capital in March.

Also in March Lebanon approved the nomination of Ali Abdel Karim Ali as Syria”s first ambassador to Beirut, where it opened an embassy in December.

After several years of strained relations, Lebanon and its former powerbroker agreed to establish diplomatic ties in October for the first time since their independence 60 years ago.

Syria pulled out its troops from Lebanon after almost 30 years of political and military domination in April 2005 following the assassination of Lebanon”s former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Many in Lebanon pointed the finger at Damascus for the murder and a spate of attacks against anti-Syrian figures since, but Syria has strongly denied any involvement.