Sarkozy (L) and Assad in Paris (Archive photo)
צילום: AP
Syria appoints ambassador to France
Lamia Shakkour sworn in before President Assad, to fill post that remained vacant for two years due to strained relations
The Syrian news agency says the country has appointed an ambassador to France, a post that remained vacant for two years due to strained relations between the countries.
The SANA news agency says Lamia Shakkour was sworn in Sunday in front of President Bashar Assad.
Syrian-French relations deteriorated after the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syria's critics accuse Damascus of having a role in the slaying, a charge Syria denies.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy hosted Assad in July, appearing determined to bring Syria back into the international fold. The French president travels to Syria Sept. 3.
Syria has also worked to improve ties with Lebanon and renew peace talks with Israel.
