Lebanon names first ever ambassador to Syria

Dec 20, 2008, 18:13 GMT

Beirut- Lebanon named an ambassador to Syria Saturday in another step toward normalizing relations between the two countries.

The move comes after the neighbouring countries reached an agreement in October to establish diplomatic ties for the first time since they gained independence from France in the 1940s.

Information Minister Tarek Mitri said after a cabinet meeting that the position will go to Michel Khoury, currently Lebanon's ambassador to Cyprus.

Mitri said Syria has not yet informed the Lebanese government of its choice for ambassador to Beirut. There was no immediate comment from Syria on the Lebanese decision.

Relations between the two neighbouring countries soured after the 2005 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri, for which Damacsus has been widely blamed. Syria has vehemently denied the charges, but an international and local outcry following the Hariri assassination led Damascus to end its 30-year military presence in the country.

Lebanon's anti-Syrian Western-backed parliamentary majority demanded that Syria establish diplomatic relations, stressing that the lack of official ties reflected Syria's refusal to recognize Lebanese sovereignty and independence.

The foreign ministries of both countries have said they would set up embassies in Damascus and Beirut before the end of the year.