Ties With Cairo Resumed by Both of Lebanon’s Rival Governments
The rival governments in war-torn Lebanon resumed relations with Egypt on Thursday after a 10-year break, and diplomats said they believe that Cairo’s old foe Syria is slowly but surely heading in the same direction.
They said the fact that both Lebanon’s Iraqi-backed Christian-led military Cabinet and the Muslim-led government supported by Syria have agreed to resume ties with Cairo is a hopeful sign.
“If it were up to the Lebanese, they would have restored relations a long time ago, but the decision was not only in their hands,” one diplomat said. “This move would not have taken place without Syria’s consent.”
Lebanon, along with most Arab countries, cut ties with Cairo when Egypt made peace with Israel in 1979. All except Syria and Libya have since restored relations, and Egypt was formally welcomed back to the Arab League at a summit meeting in Morocco last month.
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