Between 1990 and 2005 Syria negotiated on behalf of Lebanon. Diplomatic delegations were satisfied to visit Damascus instead of Beirut because the political decision in both countries was controlled by the Syrian Baath Party.
In 2005, the Syrian army withdrew, and Lebanon restored its position among the nations despite Hezbollah refusing to hand over its weapons to the state. However, the irony is that the Baath party is left in control of a very small part of Syria before leaving to total isolation, while Lebanon conducts its own negotiations and becomes a fundamental destination for every international visitor to the region.
The diplomatic life in Lebanon is thriving, hardly a week passes without Beirut receiving visitors from all over the world to discuss issues of interest to the whole globe, as well as international conferences devoted to Lebanon’s economic, security and military assistance. The international umbrella for the country’s protection and stability remains strong.
On that note, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit to Beirut today is part of a regional tour bearing more than one topic to discuss. Starting with the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Arab initiative for peace, events in the region, the war in Syria, and keeping Lebanon out of the crisis, the demarcation of Lebanon’s land and sea borders with Israel and the dispute over Block 9.
What’s important is that Lebanon is resorting to diplomacy to resolve any conflict, which is totally contrary to the culture of war, which some parties try to spread. Lebanon has long been prevented from adopting dialogue and diplomacy, the adoption that truly serves the national interest and state project.