Syria, Lebanon agree to establish official ties

The presidents of Lebanon and Syria have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, a Syrian official said Wednesday. Buthaina Shaaban, an adviser to Syrian President Bashar Assad, said the decision was made during meetings in Damascus. Lebanese President Michel Suleiman is on a two-day visit to Syria - the first by a Lebanese head of state in more than three years. Syria and Lebanon haven't had full diplomatic ties since they both gained independence from France in the 1940s.