An important watershed...perhaps

Provided today's agreement between the Lebanese and Syrian presidents is implemented, it marks a memorable moment in relations between the two countries. For more than sixty years Syria's acceptance of Lebanon's existence as an independent state has been a big question mark. Signals of Syrian good faith will include the release of Lebanese prisoners (that the Syrian authorities have long claimed not to hold), and the definitive demarcation of the border. The truly crucial criterion, however, is will Damascus truly treat Lebanon as an independent country and not a province of Syria? We'll see.