's cancellation of his trip to Damascus prompts Bassel Oudat to wonder if Lebanon's long list of issues doesn't suit the Syrians Four months after his unprecedented "historic" visit to Damascus, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad was scheduled for a second trip this week. He would have headed a large delegation and met with Syrian officials on a scale unseen in the past six years. Talks would have included reviewing, amending and activating agreements signed between the two sides in the 1990s, during Syria's presence in Lebanon. Some Lebanese media outlets had reported the visit would take place at the beginning of April, and later said the trip was postponed until 13 April -- as did some in the Syrian media. But the trip did not take place and was postponed without further notice. Lebanese officials denied that there was ever an exact date for the trip, while Syrian officials kept mum about the entire affair. This has become common practice for Damascus, which does not announce any event until the last minute, including visitors coming to meet with President Bashar Al-Assad himself. Despite the significance of the first visit by to Syria in December 2009 after five years of interrupted relations and animosity, the content of the second trip was far more important in strategic terms. In the first, and Al-Assad reconciled after relations between the two sides had deteriorated into open hostility after accused Al-Assad of assassinating his father, the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik . The second visit would mould the nature and scope of future relations between the two sides, transforming ties from the hands of political and security authorities to government institutions in both countries. The postponement of 's visit to Syria was shrouded in mystery and rumours. Some media sources proposed that it was delayed because of scheduling conflicts for both Al-Assad and , including the Lebanese premier's trip to Algeria on 13 April. Other media sources close to the leadership in both countries suggested there were other reasons. 's circles assert that the delay was caused by the need for further preparation, especially that it is dedicated to reviewing bilateral agreements which are already in place. On the other hand, Syrian sources note that Damascus is agitated with for several reasons, including his intentional procrastination and the attitude of Lebanese officials. Also, that the Lebanese premier did not carry out all the required steps and demands to reformat relations with Syria's leadership, such as controlling parliamentarians and officials in 's Future Party, as well as media coverage on the issue of resistance. Other predictions included reports in the Lebanese media that Saudi Arabia asked not to visit Syria, while others asserted that preparations for the visit are being pursued earnestly under the supervision and auspices of Saudi Arabia. The only official commentary on the trip was made by when he was visiting Spain. He said he would soon be visiting Syria to meet with Al-Assad and discuss with Syrian officials issues of cooperation in trade, environment, education, banking, and the signing of new agreements in these areas. Without official commentary from either side about the date of the visit, and whether it was actually postponed or no date was ever set, rumours are rife about why 's visit to Damascus was delayed. Regardless of the real reasons behind the delay, it is apparent that Syrian- Lebanese relations need a reasonable amount of time to recover completely. On principle, the Lebanese want to achieve much more than the Syrians during such a visit. Damascus wishes to revise some bilateral economic agreements, especially in the areas of energy, electricity, finance and taxes, and hopes to take political ties a step further. Meanwhile, Beirut's agenda is packed with contentious issues, including controlling armed Palestinians outside refugee camps in Lebanon -- an issue of major concern for the Lebanese of all political stripes. Other issues are the speedy demarcation of the border between the two neighbours, reactivating the role of the Lebanese embassy in Damascus in the economic and political realm, diminishing the role of the Supreme Syrian- Lebanese Council which supersedes the role of the embassies in coordinating bilateral relations. Also, revising and amending agreements and proposing new ones as needed, perhaps even discussing the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons. The Syrians are not comfortable discussing any of these topics with . Damascus does not want to delineate its southern border with Lebanon until Israeli occupation ends, and has referred the matter to joint committees which have accomplished little over the past year. Regarding armed Palestinians, Syria claims it has no hand in the matter, despite the fact that most leaders of armed Palestinian factions reside in Syria and are heavily influenced by Damascus. As for the Supreme Syrian-Lebanese Council which Beirut argues replaces the duties of the embassy and supersedes its authority, Damascus does not which to shut down or diminish its role -- especially since it is headed by someone who is very close to Syrian authorities. At the same time, Syria does not want to review most bilateral agreements which give it economic privileges, as they were signed during Syria's 30-year presence in Lebanon. Officials close to stress that if the visit were to take place, it would be a landmark because it would be the first where both sides are equal. The Lebanese will express themselves without reservation and present their vision of bilateral relations and institutions. This will be the basis for a balanced and equal relationship in the future. Meanwhile, Syria believes that it would be more of a morale-boosting visit. They have placed discreet preconditions on the trip, including 's relations with Lebanese allies who oppose extensive relations with Syria; issues which will be on the agenda of discussions; and reviewing of bilateral agreements signed according to the Brotherhood, Cooperation and Coordination Accord. Damascus believes that the Supreme Syrian-Lebanese Council is the most appropriate body to review bilateral agreements. The Syrians also emphasise that political rather than practical results would be the more important outcome of the trip. Some sources assert that Saudi Arabia, which has played the role of mediator between and Syria, has been informed of Syria's demands. No doubt preparing for 's visit to Syria, deciding on the agenda, and preparing bilateral agreements for review require time and effort, and that building trust between the leadership in both countries is no easy task. All this would not be a waste of time even if both sides only come to agree on the points of disagreement. Many optimists in Lebanon believe the trip will result in improving official ties as more positive steps are taken. Others who are in the majority, including 's Christian allies, however, worry that if the visit ever took place, it would only result in a handful of marginal economic agreements, and extensive statements to the media about the importance of this historic relationship and the value of future ties. But in the end, the Lebanese delegation would return home without resolving any of its quarrels with Syria.
