Syria & Lebanon agree to establish diplomatic relations

On 13 August 2008 Syria agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon after nearly 60 years. President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon traveled to Syria on 13 August to meet with President Bashar Assad. The agreement was reached after Syria acknowledged that Lebanon has created a unity government that gave Hizballah a large part in decision-making in the country. The two presidents agreed to open embassies in each other's capitals; however, an exact date for the opening of the embassies was not given when. Lebanese Parliament members have been pressing for diplomatic relations with Syria, which would signify that Syria accepts Lebanon as a sovereign nation.