CBNNews.com - DAMASCUS, Syria - Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Syrian President Bashar Assad announced Wednesday that the two countries will establish full diplomatic ties.

"The two presidents have instructed their foreign ministers to take the necessary steps in this regard, starting today," Buthaina Shaaban, an advisor to Assad, announced.

Syria's 29-year domination of Lebanon, which included a military presence in the country, ended in 2005 with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Saad al-Hariri, the slain minister's son, accused Syria of assassinating his father and other anti-Syrian Lebanese. Syria denies its involvement.

Syria is pleased with Lebanon's new unity government, which gave veto power to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group, effectively empowering Syria's allies in Lebanon.