the embassies in both countries will be established before the end of the year

The Syrian president has nominated Faisal Mikdad as the first Syrian ambassador to Lebanon . Mikdad , who used to be the Syrian ambassador to the UN is currently the Syrian deputy Foreign Minister. Lebanon has not named its nominee for the first Lebanese ambassador to Syria , so far

According to Local Lebanese newspapers the Syrian embassy in Beirut will be located in Ain Mreisseh district while the Lebanese embassy in Damascus will be located in Abu Rummaneh district.

The Lebanese political leaders and several friendly countries welcomed the Syrian decree , but all called for demarcation of the borders between the 2 countries as prove that Syria recognizes the Lebanese independence sovereignty and independence .Many also cautioned that the Syrian embassy should be strictly used as a diplomatic center and not as a spying base for the Syrian intelligence.

In other developments:

- President Suleiman who returned Monday from his trip to Saudi Arabia President Michel Suleiman expressed his relief over the announcement by Assad that he will establish an embassy in Beirut, hoping the decision would restore the bright relations between the two countries.

- General Michel Aoun who left to Tehran Iran on an official visit on Sunday , was criticized by several Lebanese leaders for his unjustified attacks against Saudi Arabia and for giving Iran a clean bill of health for its behavior in Lebanon. Former Minister Marwan Hamade who crticicized Aoun's trip said " Aoun may have won something in Iran, but lost a lot in Lebanon ". According to Mario Aoun , General Aoun is seeking in Iran financial help for the 2009 parliamentary elections

- Several fires erupted yesterday in the forests of the Chouf and Jubail areas . The army and the civil defense had problems controlling the fires due to the easterly winds and for this reason they asked for help from Cyprus which is sending a helicopter this morning to join the fleet of Lebanese helicopters and other fire engines to extinguish the fires

Wednesday

20:12 Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri is meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora at the Grand Serail

19:50 PM Fouad Siniora’s press office: The two decrees approving pay raises for the private and the public sectors will be published on Thursday.

19:48 MP Saad Hariri said, following a meeting with President Michel Suleiman, that establishing diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon was a positive step and a political gain.

19:45 After meeting with President Michel Suleiman, PM Fouad Siniora said that he would certainly visit Syria, but at the proper time.


19:10 PM Siniora said, after meeting a EU media delegation, that the Lebanese people reject the naturalization of the Palestinians.

18:40 March 14 said the setting up of diplomatic ties with Syria is "victory for the Cedar Revolution."

18:20 Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri is meeting President Suleiman at the Baabda Palace.

17:30 The Central News Agency said Syria has chosen an apartment in the Beirut district of Ein Mraisseh to host its embassy.

17:25 PM Saniora meeting President Suleiman at Baabda Palace.

16:15 Amy commander Gen. Jean Kahwaji briefed President Michel Suleiman on latest security developments.

16:00 Hezbollah's Parliamentary bloc said it is in the party's interest to cooperate in backing the army to consolidate stability.

13:39 Administration and Justice Commission adopts the law on establishment of the Constitutional Council, and will hand it to Speaker Nabih Berri in next two days.

13:30 A Turkish airplane is hijacked on its way from Antalia to St. Petersburg, Russia

12:54 A Hezbollah delegation visited MP Michel Murr to discuss the political developments.

12:53 Speaker Berri said from Baabda : Reconciliations were achieved via the meeting of individuals. Saudi-Iranian relations are “at their best” and hoped that inter-Lebanese relations “would be good.” is required is the implementation of what has been agreed upon regarding the Palestinian issue and not through any new decisions.

12:10 A meeting is underway at Baabda Palace between President Michel Suleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

11:10 Salloukh and Mouallem signed a document on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the 2 countries starting Oct. 15.

10:30 Salloukh after meeting Assad: The Syrian president could visit Lebanon any time and my visit to Damascus was aimed at discussing establishment of ties between the 2 countries. The issue of missing Lebanese was not discussed.

10:15 The Lebanese and Syrian foreign ministers headed to the Syrian foreign ministry to announce their joint statement.

9:20 Salloukh is currently meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad in the presence of FM Walid Mouallem and advisor Buthaina Shaaban at the People’s Palace.

09:03 FM Salloukh arrived at the Lebanese Syrina borders and is expected to meet with president Assad at 9:15 this morning at the People's Palace

08:45 The Lebanese embassy in Damascus will be located in Abu Rummaneh district the same location as that of the Higher Lebanese and Syrian council

08:37 Fatfat told VOL: I hope the establishment of the diplomatic relations will be the real beginning of developing relations in which the Lebanese independence and sovereignty are respected and the borders are demarcated and the interference in Lebanese international affairs is stopped

08:03 Security Force told al Akhbar : The investigations have revealed that Abdul Ghani Jawhar was is the suspect who planted the August 13 bomb in Tripoli

08:00 Security Force denied in talks with al Akhbar that any of the detainees has confessed to preparations to assassinate a politician or a security official

07:49 Al Akhbar : Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami and other officials requested to meet with Gen Aoun

07:35 former Iranian president Rafsanjani met with gen Aoun the Lebanese situation

07:25 former minister marwan hamade ; Welcomed the Syrian decision to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon but cautioned that the Syrian embassy should be strictly used as a diplomatic center and not as a spying base for the Syrian intelligence. Hamade criticized Aoun's trip to Iran "Aoun may have won something in Iran, but lost a lot in Lebanon ". He said

07:11 Aou told Rafsanjani : The opposition used wisdom to spare Lebanon a civil a war and his heading for a major victory in the 2009 parliamentary elections. According to FPM minister Mario Aoun, the General is seeking financial support in the parliamentary elections

08:12 An Nahar : The Syrian president has nominated Faisal Mikdad as the first Syrian ambassador to Lebanon . Mikdad , who used to be the Syrian ambassador to the UN is currently the Syrian deputy Foreign Minister. Lebanon has not named its nominee for the first Lebanese ambassador to Syria , so far

Tuesday

22:45 US State department spokesman welcomed cautiously Syria's decree on establishing diplomatic relations with Lebanon and said both countries need to demarcate their common borders

22:36 Ministry of Interior announced that a Cyprus Helicopter will arrive at 9:00 am to help in extinguishing the fires

22:21 Fires erupt in the forests of Bintail and Lahfad in Jubail province and the civil defense is facing difficulties in controlling them

22:12 MP Sahili told Al Manar TV: Lebanese at 18 become accountable under the law but by withholding their right to vote we are denying them the right to express their political opinion

20:03 Siniora says progress has been made on Syrian-Lebanese relations. He added " issuing the decree was an essential step to bolster the bilateral ties on an equal basis of mutual respect. This is what Lebanon and the Lebanese have always wanted.” He was referring to the decree by Assad on diplomatic relations with Lebanon

16:15 President Michel Suleiman expressed his relief over the announcement by Assad that he will establish an embassy in Beirut, hoping the decision would restore the “bright” relations between the two countries.

16:14 Forest fires in Dibbiyeh area injure four: Three Lebanese soldiers and a firefighter

15:29 LBC : Interior Minister Ziad Baroud declares Dibbiye village and its surroundings in the Chouf a disaster area . Baroud said that the civil defense forces were facing difficulties extinguishing the huge fires raging in the village because of a lack of personnel and limited technical resources.

13:55 Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh says Lebanese-Syrian relations are more brotherly than ever.

13:42 Pope Benedict XVI will meet with President Michel Sleiman on October 30 at the Vatican.

13:32 Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri flew back to Beirut at midday.

13:30 MP Walid Jumblat hailed Assad’s announcement establishing diplomatic ties and said he hoped border demarcation would be soon finalized.

13:20 A Lebanese army helicopter was brought in to help put out forest fires in Iqlim Kharroub. Lebanon also requested help from Cyprus.

13:00 Geagea said in Cairo that he discussed with Mubarak the issues of Shebaa Farms and Syrian troop buildup which is a “moral pressure” on the residents of northern Lebanon with elections nearing.

12:52 A cluster bomb was found between the Western Bekaa towns of Manara and Sultan Yaqoub.

12:50 Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace when they flew at medium altitude over the western and central sectors of south Lebanon. Jets also flew low over Tyre.

12:20 Mario Aoun says FPM will accept Iranian aid because Saudis support March 14. “Why should we reject financial aid from parties that share our political views?” he asked.. Aoun also hinted that Iran will finance their 2009 election campaign

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