BEIRUT: After discussing Lebanese perceptions of Syrian ambitions in Lebanon last week, the Issam Fares Center on Wednesday held a talk to highlight Syria’s point of view.

At the talk, “What does Syria want from Lebanon? – a Syrian perspective,” Samir Altaqi, director of the Orient Center for International Studies in Damascus, and Syrian economic expert Samir Saifan, argued that friendly relations were of great importance to both neighbors.

Altaqi highlighted Syria’s strategic position in regional affairs, noting the recent rapprochement with European states and the US. There has been a geostrategic shift in the arena of international struggle from Europe to the Middle East and Western Asia, he said. The shift now focuses around the modern fight for natural resources and the policing of their safe supplying routes.

Altaqi, who is also a cardiologist, added that following the US-led wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, American presence in the Middle East was mainly aimed at assigning regional powers to carry out their interests in the region. He called on Syria to have a strong standing in the region and to enhance its regional alliances to avoid becoming an arena where regional and international powers fought out their battles.

The withdrawal of Syrian troops in 2005 cured Damascus of many of its ills, he added, noting that no Syrian citizen wished to return to the bilateral relations prior to the withdrawal. Altaqi said that both countries were looking to initiate a new phase of relations and that chances to strengthen such relations had to begin with coordinating their strategic regional views.

A common Lebanese vision of Beirut’s “higher interests” could contribute to improving bilateral relations and could enable the Syrian government to enjoy a better relationship with the Lebanese, Altaqi argued. He said a stronger Lebanese state was in the interest of Syria. Eltaqi highlighted the ongoing threats to Syria emanating from Lebanon’s borders, noting the dangers posed by the country’s delicate sectarian balance and political differences. The fact that Lebanese-Syrian relations had not been institutionalized when Syria was in Lebanon was a grave error, he said.

Saifan meanwhile recognized the numerous errors in Syrian policy in Lebanon over the last 30 decades, highlighting mutual “suffering” inflicted upon both the Syrian and Lebanese people. Following the withdrawal of Syrian troops in 2005, Damascus’ key aspiration was for Lebanon to emerge as a strong state that was friendly to Hizbullah goals, he said.

Saifan argued that bilateral ties were being perceived in paradoxical ways. There were those who merely focused on the negative aspects of Syrian-Lebanese relations, and others who advocated closer diplomatic relations. The economist likened relations between the two countries to a Christian husband and wife that are unable to seek a divorce. He noted that despite the numerous bi-lateral agreements, pragmatism remained very limited. – The Daily Star