بيان هام من سفارة الجمهورية العربية السورية في لبنان .

A Lebanese policeman stands guard outside the building housing the new Syrian embassy in the Hamra business district of Beirut on December 26, 2008, prior to its official opening. Syria's first ever embassy was set to open today in Beirut following an August announcement in which Lebanon and Syria expressed their intention to establish formal diplomatic ties. Relations between the two countries have often been fractious since Syria was forced to withdraw its troops in April 2005 after maintaining a near 30-year military presence in its tiny neighbour. The sign in Arabic reads: "Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic." AFP PHOTO/RAMZI HAIDAR (Photo credit should read RAMZI HAIDAR/AFP/Getty Images)