Lebanon, Syria close to opening first embassies since 1943

Dec 27, 2008, 13:58 GMT

Beirut - Lebanese officials reported Saturday they are set to open up an embassy in Syria, a day after the Syrian flag was hoisted over that country's new embassy in Beirut.

The new embassies represent the first official diplomatic ties between the two countries since 1943. Lebanon and Syria agreed to the new diplomatic opening in a joint statement October 15.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said Saturday that Lebanon is 'fully prepared' to set up its embassy offices in Damascus. Other Lebanese sources said a diplomatic team would leave for Damascus on Monday to set the stage for opening the Lebanese embassy in the Syrian capital.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said the Syrian flag was raised in the Hamra district of Beirut - a major shopping area - late Friday, over the site of the new Syrian embassy.

Two placards that read 'Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic' in Arabic and English were also posted at the entrance of the building.

The Syrian embassy will operate on the first three floors of the building, which is a few blocks from the American University in Beirut.

No official date was announced for the inauguration of the new Syrian embassy, but the leftist As-Safir Lebanese quoted Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday as saying this would happen 'immediately after Christmas.'

According to witnesses in the area, 'three people who seem to be diplomats were seen entering the building daily since Monday.

Lebanese foreign ministry sources said 'a first secretary for the Syrian embassy in Beirut is already living in the capital.'