The visit by Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs and Tourism, Ramzi al-Musharafieh, to Damascus last week raised fears among opposition factions that the new government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab intends to normalize relations with the Syrian regime.
“It would come as no a surprise if this government plans to normalize relations with the regime in Damascus, particularly after Diab had welcomed the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon,” MP Rola Tabsh, a member of the Mustaqbal Movement of former PM Saad Hariri, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The Mustaqbal Movement, the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) expressed fears this week that Musharafieh’s visit could be a prelude to normalizing relations with Damascus.
Tabsh said that as long as Syria's membership at the Arab League is suspended, then the regime is illegitimate and therefore, Lebanon should not have any relations with it.
The Mustaqbal Movement supports the Syrian people, but not the regime, she stressed.
A source accompanying the Lebanese delegation to Syria was surprised that some parties here were still using the term “normalizing relations with Syria,” noting that this issue would have been subject to discussions five years ago.
“Today, relations between the two countries are more than normal,” the source said, adding that the government alone is responsible for political affairs.
“The Lebanese delegation did not discuss political issues in Damascus. We only tackled the file of the Syrian refugees. I don’t believe there is any Lebanese force that refuses the return of refugees to their homeland,” he said.
Member of the Democratic Gathering MP Bilal Abdullah told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PSP rejects the visit of the Lebanese minister to Syria. “Lebanon should not distance itself from the decisions of the Arab League,” he said.
Syria's membership at the League has been suspended since 2011 and the issue of bringing it back to the organization has been discussed several times, however, officials said none of the members have requested it.
