The UN Security Council adopted a resolution yesterday pressing
Syria to establish diplomatic relations and set its border with
Lebanon, which it said would be "a significant step" to asserting
Lebanon's sovereignty and political independence.
The resolution, co-sponsored by the US, France and Britain, was
approved by a vote of 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining. They
have argued that the resolution is not needed and would constitute
UN interference in bilateral Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Syria said the resolution was provocative and biased. "The
insistence of the sponsors of this resolution to pass it ...
constitutes uncalled for pressure and provocation that complicates
the situation," a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry
said.
Syria withdrew its forces from Lebanon last year, ending a
29-year occupation after mass demonstrations that blamed Damascus
for the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria has denied involvement.
The Lebanese government and all political parties in the country
have called on Syria to establish diplomatic ties with Beirut and
mark their border, which includes the disputed Chebaa Farms
region.
The Security Council, in yesterday's resolution, "strongly
encourages the government of Syria to respond positively to the
request made by the government of Lebanon, in line with the
agreements of the Lebanese national dialogue, to delineate their
common border ... and to establish full diplomatic relations and
representation."
(China Daily May 18, 2006)
