Syria, Lebanon agree to establish official ties

A Syrian official says the presidents of Lebanon and Syria have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations.

Buthaina Shaaban, an adviser to Syrian President Bashar Assad, says the decision was made Wednesday during meetings in Damascus. "The two presidents...have instructed their foreign ministers to take the necessary steps in this regard, starting from today," Shaaban said.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman met Assad in Damascus on Wednesday – the first such visit by a Lebanese head of state in more than three years.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mualem told Lebanon's as-Safir newspaper that Suleiman's visit was "a starting point and a true foundation for future relations."

Syria had dominated Lebanon until the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri triggered pressure for it to end a 29-year military presence in the country. Damascus and Beirut haven't had full diplomatic ties since they both gained independence from France in the 1940s.

Syria's opponents in Lebanon, including Saudi-backed politician Saad al-Hariri, have accused Damascus of assassinating Rafik al-Hariri and other anti-Syrian figures and fomenting instability since its withdrawal. Syria denies the allegations.

In a sign of lingering insecurity in Lebanon, a bomb in the northern city of Tripoli killed at least 18 on Wednesday, including nine soldiers. Syria condemned the attack.