Wednesday, August 4, 1999

NICOSIA -- Syria plans to control much of Lebanese telecommunications with the outside world as the infrastructure of the two countries begin to merge, officials said.

The two countries agreed that Lebanese telephone and telecommunications with other Middle East states be routed through the Syrian network. The agreement comes as both countries are cooperating to establish a modern fiber-optic telecommunications system within the next 18 months.

On Monday, Syrian Telecommunications Ministry director Mokaram Obeid and his Lebanese counterpart, Abdul Muneim Youssef signed a memorandum that ended three days of meeting in Damascus. The memorandum includes an agreement to merge communications system and launch an experiment that would coordinate communications with Cyprus.

Under the accord, Lebanese telecommunications would be routed through Syria. This would include international telephone calls and Internet both from and to Lebanon.

A communique said the accord is meant to "develop and cement cooperation between Syria and Lebanon in the field of telecommunication and the Internet."

Syria has 35,000 troops in Lebanon and opposition groups said Damascus is moving ahead with plans to unofficially annex Beirut by controlling its economy and infrastructure.

Syria and Lebanon have agreed to coordinate their militaries. Syrian officials said the effort is designed to ensure that Lebanese troops fight Israel in any future war.

"Strengthening ties between the armies of both countries is necessary to maintain national security and order," Lebanese Defense Minister Ghazi Zeaiter said.

In an unrelated development, President Hafez Assad on Monday fired two governors from their position, including that of the Damascus region. Assad appointed three other governors. No reason was given for their dismissal.