"The cabinet is planning to submit the name of Khoury, the current Lebanese ambassador to Cyprus, to become ambassador in Damascus," the official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

The cabinet is due to meet on December 15.

In October, Syria and Lebanon established diplomatic ties for the first time since both became independent 60 years ago and vowed to name ambassadors by the end of the year.

Khoury, who will turn 59 on December 24, would not confirm his appointment, telling AFP: "I have not been contacted officially on the matter."

Once the cabinet officially designates its ambassador, his appointment must then be approved by Damascus before the envoy can take up the post.

Khoury was previously ambassador to The Hague and held top diplomatic jobs in several countries including Britain, Brazil and Mexico.

Diplomatic sources quoted by the Lebanese press say Syria has decided to name its current ambassador to Spain, Makram Obeid, as it envoy to Beirut.

The move turned a page in relations between Lebanon and Syria, which dominated its smaller neighbor for nearly three decades until it pulled its troops out in April 2005.

The withdrawal came two months after the murder in Beirut of Lebanon's former premier Rafiq Hariri. Damascus was widely blamed for the assassination, which is still under investigation, but has denied any involvement.