Syria-Lebanon-France
Syria and Lebanon have agreed to resume diplomatic ties and open embassies in each other's capitals.

The announcement came after French President Nicolas Sarkozy held talks with Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman and then Syria's leader Bashar Assad in Paris.

Lebanon and Syria broke off diplomatic ties after former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri was assassinated in 2005. Beirut accused Syria of involvement.

"I would like to say what a historic step forward it is for France that Syrian President Bashar Assad is determined to open a diplomatic representation in Lebanon, and that Lebanon should open a diplomatic representation in Syria," Sarkozy said after the meeting.

Presidents Assad later confirmed the news.

"Our position is that there is no problem for the opening of embassies between Syria and Lebanon," he told reporters.