The ownership has not changed, nor the management, but the dress code laws have been relaxed somewhat.

Siniora has been trying to visit Damascus to discus critical issues, including the delineation of the Lebanon-Syria border and to push for diplomatic embassies in both Beirut and Damascus.

The drama over a simple diplomatic visit has exposed a severe lack of interest on the part of the Syrian regime to better ties with Lebanon's government. Previously president Assad said that he only meets with other nations' presidents. When put in the uncomfortable situation of meeting Siniora at the Arab Summit in Sudan, Assad said that they needed an "agenda" prior to his visiting Damascus.

Lebanon needs to urgently resolve the status of the borders with Syria, in order to proceed to reclaim the Shebaa Farms from the Israelis. Syria clearly prefers to keep things in an ambiguous state, including diplomatic relations.

Siniora uninvited by bouncer Moallem

Just last week, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al Moallem said that Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has missed his chance to visit Damascus. According to Moallem, Siniora "procrastinated" on visiting after the Syrians told a friend of a friend that the gates of Damascus were open, and that Siniora was now permitted to visit the president of Syria.

"I was told about this statement. The Lebanese for sure know (the truth) about this issue and I will not respond for the time being," Siniora said in response to an accusation by Assad that Siniora turned down an invitation.

"I am someone who always calls for calm and awareness to avoid getting carried away and making fiery statements that lead to unnecessary tensions that the Lebanese do not welcome," Siniora said Monday.

Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh said Syria's invitation to Siniora was issued in the form of "a summons" that did not take into account the Premier's own schedule.

"It was natural for Prime Minister Saniora to ask for a two-day postponement. If Syria had good intentions why would it refuse to reschedule the meeting?" he said.

"The way the appointment was scheduled seemed more like a summons which is not suitable for the Prime Minister of Lebanon," Hamadeh added.

Aoun makes the A-list for the first time

Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun was not only invited, but hailed for protecting Syria by Assad. Aoun led a "War of Liberation" against Syrian forces in Lebanon in the late 1980s. When he was defeated, he went into exile in France for 15 years.

"Our relationship with (Aoun) was bad and at times confrontational. However, he is not seeking revenge or attempting to harm Syria. On the contrary, he is defending it and this is something we cannot deny," Assad said in an interview with London's Al-Hayat newspaper.

The presidential aspirant, Michel Aoun, had some advice for Siniora last week on how to go about his official visit, solve the dispute with Syria the Lebanese way: "Let's knock on their door and say we're here for coffee."

The FPM hailed Assad's comments as confirmation of Aoun's policies.

"Assad's words prove that Aoun is a man of integrity because he acts based on the national interest and not on personal interests," FPM MP Nabil Nicolas said.

Marwan Hamadeh commented on the relationship between Aoun and Assad, "when it comes to Aoun it is a matter between Assad and the former general."

Hariri makes the B-list

Assad gave his blessing for Parliament majority leader Saad Hariri to visit Syria. Many Lebanese, including Saad Hariri accuse Syria of being behind the Feb. 14, 2005 bombing that killed 23 people including the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, the father of Saad.

A U.N. commission is currently carrying out a probe into the murder and its chief investigator Serge Brammertz has interviewed Assad about his possible involvement in the killing.

Hamadeh commented on Hariri being invited to Syria: "As for Hariri, it is as if Assad is trying to buy forgiveness after being involved in one way or another in the assassination of [Hariri's] father."

"I don't see anyone from the Hariri family asking for such an appointment ... I don't see Hariri visiting Damascus, nor would he accept the invitation before the investigations are over," he added.

Sources: Ya Libnan, AP, Naharnet