US welcomes Syria-Lebanon breakthrough

The US State Department welcomed the decision Saturday by Lebanon and Syria to open diplomatic relations but said Damascus needs to take "concrete actions to end its destabilizing tactics in the region."

"We continue to support the establishment of good relations between Lebanon and Syria on the basis of mutual respect (and) we join with France in reiterating the commitment to a sovereign and independent Lebanon," Rob McInturff, a State Department spokesman, told AFP. (AFP)