Wednesday, Nov 30, 2005
Dubai: The two related but contradictory developments that took place in Damascus and Barcelona in the past 48 hours will not help ease the tense relationship between Lebanon and Syria, according to political analysts in the two countries.
"It is believed that the outcome of the investigations being conducted by the international commission into the assassination of former Lebanese Premier, Rafik Al Hariri on February 14 will remain the key to solving the tension between the two governments," according to Yasin Al Haj Saleh, a political analyst in Damascus.
A sense of euphoria mixed with uncertainty can be sensed in Damascus following the broadcasting of the revised testimony by a former intelligence agent, which has, according to Syrian officials, ruined the foundations of UN investigator Detlev Mehlis's accusations against Syria.
It was there he announced his revised testimony in which he accused Sa'ad Al Hariri of knowing the killers of his father, whom Hosam said were not Syrians.
Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister, Farouk Al Shar'a vowed to turn a new page in the relationship between the two countries after a short meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora in Barcelona.
Anwar Al Bunni, a Damascus-based lawyer and political analyst said: "It is quite clear the Syrian Government has not formulated a concrete strategy to deal with the new situation in Lebanon. What would help is the conducting of a fair and professional investigation in the assassination of Hariri and identifying the real suspects in the crime."
The government is sending conflicting signals and unfortunately Mehlis is the only one who seems to be able to put an end to it, said Al Bunni.
George Nasif, a Lebanese political analyst, said Syria was trying to find a face-saving way to help itself out of a confrontational situation with the international community.
We have to wait for sometime to know for sure whether the former intelligence agent, Hosam, was the main source of information for the commission regarding Syrian involvement or not.
Political analysts say international commission will help ease the tense relationship between Lebanon and Syria.
Gulfnews 2005. All rights reserved.
