The ties that bind: Why it's difficult for Syria to leave

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Syria is deeply reluctant to get out of Lebanon, which has given Damascus a strategic card in its conflict with Israel, a source of money and a place for employment of impoverished Syrians.

There are also strategic, security and even kinship ties.

"There is a long history of the feeling of oneness between Syria and Lebanon," Syrian legislator George Jabbour said.

Damascus also values Lebanon economically. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians — mainly farmers and construction workers — work in Lebanon for higher salaries than they would make at home. Much of the money goes back to Syria.

Syrian troops first entered Lebanon in 1976, at the invitation of Lebanon and the agreement of the wider Arab and international community, to help stabilize a country that was one year into a raging civil war. But the Syrians took sides and, when the war ended 14 years later, they were the main power broker in the country.

Today Lebanese politicians, many of them brought to power by Syria, look to Damascus for guidance on all major political decisions, and 15,000 Syrian troops are stationed in Lebanon.

A Lebanese opposition demand for Syrian withdrawal became an international call in September when the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 1559.

The campaign intensified following the Feb. 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many Lebanese blamed on its pro-Syrian government and Damascus, a charge both governments deny. Massive demonstrations in Beirut caused the Cabinet to resign Feb. 28.

Analysts point to a number of reasons for Syria's reluctance to end its long domination of its neighbor, including the idea, though not often articulated, that Lebanon is just an extension of Syria.

"Syria traditionally considers Lebanon a historical part of it," said Cairo-based political analyst Abdel Moneim Said.

When the French ruled Syria and Lebanon after World War I, parts of Syria were joined to the state of Mount Lebanon, creating the geographical boundaries of today's Lebanon.

For many years, there was a strong movement to reunite the countries, which do not even have diplomatic relations — no embassies in each other's capitals. The Syrians say there is no need for such formal ties in so close a relationship. Lebanese critics of Syria say that proves Damascus has never recognized Lebanon as an independent country.

The two nations went in different directions after independence from France in the 1940s. Syria became a socialist Arab nationalist country with a state-run economy and a history of one-party rule. Lebanon flourished as a freewheeling nation of entrepreneurs looking West and one of the most liberal political systems in the Arab world.

Syria has strong political-security reasons for remaining in control of Lebanon. Damascus and the pro-Syrian government in Beirut argue that the Syrian forces are necessary to ensure stability after the 1975-90 civil war.

"It's a matter of Syria's security," said Rami Khouri, executive editor of Lebanon's Daily Star. "They fear that any unrest or turmoil in Lebanon could spill over into Syria."

Syria also sees Lebanon as giving it a vital second front against its archenemy Israel.