Designation of Syrian ambassador widely welcomed in Beirut

Said Dhaher
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-03-30

Lebanon's ambassador to Syria Michel el-Khoury. (AFP/Getty Images)

BEIRUT - Seven months after Syria and Lebanon agreed to establish diplomatic relations, Damascus named Ali Abdul-Karim Ali its ambassador to Beirut. He is currently Syria’s ambassador to Kuwait where he has been stationed since 2004.

Syria opened its Beirut embassy two months ago headed up by a chargé d’affaires. Lebanon named Michel Al-Khouri as its ambassador to Syria and on March 16 raised its flag on the building housing its embassy in the Abu Ramana Quarter of Damascus.

Diplomatic sources said the appointment of Ali came as somewhat of a surprise to political circles where speculation centred on either Makram Abid, the current Syrian ambassador to Spain and a former minister, or Elias Mourad, editor of the Al-Baath daily, being tapped for the position. Ali’s appointment also confounded expectations that a Christian would be appointed to the post.

Given the timing, some consider the Syrian decision a response to the hands recently extended to Damascus by Riyadh and Paris and recent diplomatic efforts by Washington. It also preceded the Doha Summit, which is expected to seal Arab reconciliation efforts.

President Michel Suleiman accepted the Syrian ambassador’s credentials less than seven days after the Foreign Ministry’s receipt of his nomination. Foreign Minister Fawzi Saloukh said no date had been fixed for the new ambassador to take up his post, while confirming that the Lebanese ambassador would take up residence in Damascus by mid-April.

The appointment of the Syrian envoy drew positive responses from local and foreign sources. President Suleiman expressed satisfaction at the development saying it anchors ties between Lebanon and Syria on a bilateral platform.

In Paris, the Elysée Palace issued a statement welcoming the news as a start on the route to normal relations between the two countries. It hoped that the decision would “contribute to stability in the region in its respect for the unity, sovereignty and independence of each of the countries.”

UN liaison officer in Lebanon Michael Williams said the step “will lead to greater stability in Lebanon and will contribute positively to broader reconciliation among the Arab states in the region.”

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