Lebanon and Syria: Hariri Meets With Assad

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited Syria this weekend in an attempt, in his words, to “open new horizons between the two countries.” In turn, President Assad insisted he is “very attached to sincere relations based on common understanding.” In response, Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah observed the trip has helped make the “atmosphere comfortable” between the two countries. Hariri returned to Beirut Sunday night ahead of Monday’s first meeting of the new cabinet.

Many Lebanese politicians expressed their approval of the historic trip, except for Progressive Socialist Party head Walid Jumblatt who refused to comment. The New York Times focused on how “the trip epitomized a national story with anguished, almost operatic dimensions: a young leader forced to shake hands with the man who he believes killed his father.”

Meanwhile, Nasrallah also dismissed anyone who questions Hezbollah’s arsenal as “mercenaries” during a speech in the preparation for the Day of Ashura.  

Finally, Joshua Landis reports that Ambassador Joseph Adam Ereli may be the next U.S. representative in Damascus, but admits that there are many other possibilities as well.