Syria basks in diplomatic breakthrough

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From the Syrian perspective, the following are important:

* Syria sidelined all of the anti-Syrian candidates running for the presidency and secured the election of Michel Suleiman, a man who is a friend of both Damascus and Hezbollah. It got its way when saying that it would not allow an anti-Syrian statesman to become the new master of the Baabda presidential palace. Suleiman is a staunch supporter of resisting Israel and will not tolerate any force being used to disarm Hezbollah. He is also a non-sectarian figure who believes in excellent relations with Syria and is on the payroll of neither the Americans nor the Saudis.

* Greater representation has been given to the Hezbollah-led opposition in the 30-seat cabinet created by Siniora this weekend. They received 11 seats - thereby granting them veto power to obstruct any anti-Hezbollah legislation pushed for by the anti-Syrian March 14 coalition of political parties. Hezbollah got three portfolios - but only one will be occupied by an actual Hezbollah member - Labor Minister Mohammad Fneish.

* Syria patched up with France without having to change a single policy it had been preaching since 2005. Nor did the Syrians have to make any concession with regard to Lebanon, such as cuddling up to Siniora or March 14, or working against Hezbollah's interests, or abandoning Iran.

Speaking at a press conference with both presidents Assad and Suleiman, Sarkozy announced that both countries had taken a "historic" step and had decided to normalize relations by opening embassies - something that has not happened since the countries received their independence from the French during World War II.

These are good days for Syria. They feel confident that the dark clouds of 2005 are gone and that the future is in their hands; they waited for Chirac to leave the Elysee in 2007, and it has paid off. They are now waiting for Bush to leave the White House in 2009.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JG15Ak01.html