Syrian President Bashar Assad Tuesday issued a decree to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon, the official Syrian News Agency reported.

The decree orders the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon for the first time since independence some 60 years ago and the creation of a diplomatic mission at ambassador level in the Lebanese capital Beirut, said the report.

On Aug. 13, the two countries announced their intention to open diplomatic ties during Lebanese President Michel Sleiman's visit to Damascus.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2008)