Syria and Lebanon to boost border, anti-terror controls

DAMASCUS (AFP) — Syria and Lebanon decided on Monday to boost border controls and anti-terrorism coordination, as the two neighbours took a new step to strengthen ties since diplomatic relations were established.
The decision came during the first visit to Damascus by a Lebanese interior minister since the 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s five-time former premier Rafiq [...]

Advisor to McCain’s Campaign: Syria Involved in Hariri’s Murder

The advisor to U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign has accused Syria of involvement in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s assassination and said Hizbullah put itself on the terror list when it intimidated Beirutis last May.
Reports of U.N. investigators reveal Syria’s involvement in the “heinous crime” in 2005, Robert “Bud” McFarlane told al-Mustaqbal daily in remarks [...]

Najjar: 745 Lebanese Citizens Missing in Syria

Justice Minister Ibrahim Najjar said Lebanon is asking for revealing the fate of 745 citizens missing in Syria.
Najjar, in a television interview, said these citizens are divided into two main categories, convicts and kidnap victims.
The justice ministry should handle the convicts’ issue, he said.
Najjar, however, did not say which department should follow up the issue [...]

Lebanon PM’s visit builds Syria bond

Lebanon and Syria yesterday agreed on a range of measures to reduce tensions, following the establishment of full diplomatic relations on Wednesday for the first time since both countries became independent in the 1940s.
The agreements, announced at the end of the first visit to Damascus by Michel Suleiman, Lebanon’s new president and former army commander, [...]

Hizbullah Deployed Advanced Anti-aircraft Rocket Systems

Hizbullah has been able to establish a military presence north and south of the Litani River and is already prepared to a large extent to fire rockets and missiles on Israel, an Israeli newspaper has reported.
Yediot Ahronot daily said Tuesday that security and intelligence chiefs are expected to present a discouraging assessment of the situation [...]