SYRIA: Is Damascus really recognizing independence of its neighbor?

Has Syria accepted to recognize Lebanon as an independent and sovereign state?

A presidential summit in Damascus today seems to have paved the way for more formal and balanced relations between the two nations after long years of direct Syrian control over Lebanon.

Following a two-day visit on Thursday by Lebanese President Michel Suleiman with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, Damascus accepted the demarcation of most borders separating the two countries. But there was one important exception.

The Syrians refused for now to demarcate the borders at the Shebaa Farms, the notorious patch of land occupied by Israel and claimed as Lebanese territory by authorities in Beirut. Israel says that the area is Syrian land, maintaining that its army retreated from all Lebanese territories in 2000.

Syrian foreign minister, Walid Moallem, told reporters that "the definition of the Shebaa Farms cannot happen under occupation." He was speaking at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart, Fawzi Saloukh, after a read statement said that a joint committee to define and draw the Syrian-Lebanese borders would resume its work.

For Syria’s opponents in Lebanon, the demarcation is crucial to help prove to the international community that the Shebaa Farm is Lebanese, an essential step for its liberation, they say.

On another note, Syria promised to step up efforts to uncover the fate of hundreds of Lebanese who went missing during Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war and believed by their parents to be in Syria.

Earlier on Wednesday, Syria announced officially that it would exchange ambassadors with its smaller neighbor for the first time since Lebanon gained independence some 60 years ago. The U.S. welcomed the step, but Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cautioned that Syria should respect the sovereignty of its neighbor.

The establishment of diplomatic ties still actually raises questions about the future of several controversial economic and security agreements made between the two countries during the Syrian hegemony over Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Syrian newspapers hailed the Lebanese president's visit as a landmark. The official daily, Tishrin, praised the Lebanese-Syrian summit and said "past mistakes to be overcome... by establishing diplomatic relations," which it said must be based on "respect, friendship and coordination."

-- Raed Rafei in Beirut.