Lebanon-Syria relations
Encyclopedia
Lebanon–Syria relations are the bilateral relations between Lebanon
and Syria
. The relationship between these two neighbouring countries in Western Asia is complex: Syria has had troops stationed in Lebanon and has exerted political influence in the nation for many years, however Syria has only officially recognised Lebanon's sovereignty recently.
from land under control of the Ottoman Empire
after World War I
. Syria has refused to accept the separation since they became independent of each other in 1942.
At the request of the then-President of Lebanon, Suleiman Frangieh
, Syria
sent troops to Lebanon in order to prevent greater bloodshed during the Civil War
. In 1982, Syria fought Israeli troops
after the latter's invasion of Lebanon.
The assassination of Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri
on February 14, 2005, was blamed on Syria by the March 14 Alliance
, while Syria denied involvement. A UN commission set up to investigate the killing has not yet assigned responsibility for the assassination. However, Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon following the assassination and subsequent mass protests
.
At a meeting in Paris
during the first Summit of the Union for the Mediterranean
, the new President of Lebanon, Michel Sleiman, and Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad
, agreed to establish diplomatic relations and to open a new page in the relations between the two countries. On August 13, 2008, the diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.
In December 2008, the Syrian Embassy was opened in Beirut for the first time since both countries gained their independence during the 1940s. In March 2009, Lebanon opened its embassy in Damascus.
On 19 December 2009, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri visited Syria, and stayed in Damascus for 3 days of meetings with President Bashar Al-Assad.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. The relationship between these two neighbouring countries in Western Asia is complex: Syria has had troops stationed in Lebanon and has exerted political influence in the nation for many years, however Syria has only officially recognised Lebanon's sovereignty recently.
History
Both states were created by FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
from land under control of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Syria has refused to accept the separation since they became independent of each other in 1942.
At the request of the then-President of Lebanon, Suleiman Frangieh
Suleiman Frangieh
Suleiman Kabalan Frangieh, last name also spelled Frangié, Franjieh, or Franjiyeh , was President of Lebanon from 1970 to 1976...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
sent troops to Lebanon in order to prevent greater bloodshed during the Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
. In 1982, Syria fought Israeli troops
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
after the latter's invasion of Lebanon.
The assassination of Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri
Rafik Hariri
Rafic Baha El Deen Al-Hariri , was a business tycoon and the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation, 20 October 2004.He headed five cabinets during his tenure...
on February 14, 2005, was blamed on Syria by the March 14 Alliance
March 14 Alliance
The March 14 alliance , named after the date of the Cedar Revolution, is a coalition of political parties and independents in Lebanon that call for sovereignty over all Lebanese territories, led by MP Saad Hariri, younger son of Rafik Hariri, the assassinated former prime minister of Lebanon, as...
, while Syria denied involvement. A UN commission set up to investigate the killing has not yet assigned responsibility for the assassination. However, Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon following the assassination and subsequent mass protests
Cedar Revolution
The Cedar Revolution or Independence Intifada was a chain of demonstrations in Lebanon triggered by the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005.The primary goals of the original activists were the...
.
At a meeting in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
during the first Summit of the Union for the Mediterranean
Union for the Mediterranean
The Union for the Mediterranean is a multilateral partnership that encompasses 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: the 27 member states of the European Union and 16 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans...
, the new President of Lebanon, Michel Sleiman, and Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad
Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :...
, agreed to establish diplomatic relations and to open a new page in the relations between the two countries. On August 13, 2008, the diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.
In December 2008, the Syrian Embassy was opened in Beirut for the first time since both countries gained their independence during the 1940s. In March 2009, Lebanon opened its embassy in Damascus.
On 19 December 2009, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri visited Syria, and stayed in Damascus for 3 days of meetings with President Bashar Al-Assad.