Only Assad can make it clear that Syria is embarking on a new path
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem responded positively over the weekend to the olive branch recently extended to Damascus by Lebanon”s parliamentary majority, the March 14 Forces. The Lebanese coalition had issued its election campaign a week earlier calling for an "end the conflict with Syria" and the constructing of "normal and amicable relations … on the basis of brotherhood, equality and common interests."
During an interview with Al-Jazeera, Moallem on Saturday reciprocated by stressing that Damascus was ready for normal relations with all Lebanese leaders, including parliamentary majority leader MP Saad Hariri, saying: "We have a big heart, we forgive."
This exchange of friendly words is a welcome development, as it signals the potential end of a nasty feud between Damascus and Lebanon”s parliamentary majority that had long prevented the two countries from negotiating a new framework for formal bilateral relations.
However, the shift in position on the part of Damascus still needs to be officially confirmed by the country”s top leader, Bashar Assad. Because Moallem is one of the region”s most seasoned diplomats with a long-time record of service for his country, his words carry significant weight, but they still fall short of representing the official position of the Syrian state. Only Assad can make it clear that his country is moving in a new direction with regard to official policy toward Lebanon.
Once an official policy is articulated by Assad, the Syrian leadership can then act to minimize the influence of the parties and individuals in Lebanon who seek to assert their own interpretations of Damascus” positions, often to the detriment of improved bilateral relations. A clearly defined position outlined by Assad will set the record straight, and will allow the soon-to-be-fully-launched Syrian Embassy in Beirut to position itself as the official channel through which Damascus conveys its stances on policy matters. It would also pave the way for Lebanon and Syria to build a strong partnership that will bring multiple benefits to both states.