Syria seen regaining its influence in Lebanon

AP/ here

" ... The United States tried for the past four years to keep Syria out of Lebanon's politics and largely failed. Now the administration of President Barack Obama has sought to improve ties with Damascus, and Syria's allies and opponents here say that has given it a freer hand to exercise influence in its smaller neighbor.

The Obama administration's outreach has resulted in "the invigorating of Syria's role in the region, including Lebanon," said Wiam Wahhab, a pro-Syrian Lebanese politician. Syria has "has influence in Lebanon as do Saudi Arabia, America and Iran. But by virtue of its geographical location, Syria has greater influence in Lebanon than other countries," Wahhab told The Associated Press.

The wrangling over the government is a sign of how deeply the fate of Lebanon is dependent on outside powers. While pro-Western politicians accuse Hezbollah and its allies of carrying out the will of Damascus, they in turn are accused of taking orders from their strongest foreign supporters, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Now hopes for a breakthrough center on Syrian President Bashar Assad and Saudi King Abdullah. .... Recent months have seen gains for Syria.

Lebanese Christian leader Gen. Michel Aoun, who fought Syrian troops in Lebanon two decades ago, made his first visit to Damascus  ....... Walid Jumblatt — once a vehement critic of Syria who even called for Assad's overthrow ...now calls for "distinctive relations" with Syria and says he's prepared to also visit Damascus.

.... Sarkis Naoum, another An-Nahar analyst, said Lebanon will not be stable until "Syria has regained its full influence in Lebanon even without the return of its army." Naoum said Syria wants to show Lebanese it is the only power that can prevent a renewal of "sectarian and factional fighting" in Lebanon...."