Online edition of Daily News

The killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al Hariri by an unknown bomber has quite understandably triggered shock-waves locally and internationally and raised concern over the stability of the just resumed Middle East peace process.

The most thought-provoking poser which emerges from this development is whether the killing has any links to the relative progress which has been made by Israel and the Palestinian Authority towards resuming the Middle-East negotiatory process.

Lebanese demonstrators hold candles during a protest 20 February 2005 in central Beirut’s landmark Martyrs Square, near the gravesite of assassinated former premier Rafiq Hariri. Hundreds of people continue to converge each evening on the square, to shout “Syria Out” and “Down with the government,” despite warnings from the authorities that they will start enforcing a ban on illegal gatherings. AFP

Suspect number one in the killing is Syria on account of Hariri's reported opposition to the Syrian military presence in Lebanon, which is now years long. In fact, Syria has earned a notoriety as a prop of the present Lebanese administration, which is seen as decidedly pro-Syrian.

Although it is quite some time since a degree of political normalcy returned to Lebanon, Syria has been continuing to maintain a troop presence in Lebanon in a troubling reminder of the considerable stake Syria has in a Middle-East peace.

Although it would be premature to point an accusing finger at Syria over the Hariri killing, it would be relevant to remember that Syria has continually called for a "comprehensive" solution to the Middle East tangle.

By this it means full recognition of Syria's territorial claims in working out a Middle-East solution. For, the Golan Heights, currently occupied by Israel, is claimed by Syria and until and unless this territorial claim is granted to Syria it is unlikely that the latter would cease to be a stakeholder in a Middle-East solution.

It stands to reason, therefore, that Syria would be anxious over the working out of a Middle East solution, which could be seen by it as tending to overlook its claim to the Golan Heights.

Right now, the territorial claims by the Palestinians are constituting a principal focus in the Middle-East with Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon already pledging an Israeli pull out from the Gaza strip as a crucial phase in a resumed Middle-East peace process.

Syria could very well be wanting the granting of its territorial claim as a key factor in a negotiated settlement in the Middle East.

With Middle East peace prospects improving, following the recent ground breaking meeting in Egypt between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon, Syria would construe it to be in its interests to assert its presence in the Middle East theatre.

So, Syrian interests would need to be factored into the process of bringing peace to the Middle East, if a stable solution is to be found. Needless to say, this consideration should be addressed by all the stakeholder in a Middle East peace, including the West headed by the US.

As important as these developments in the Middle East are reports of the forming of a united front by Iran and Syria to face common threats and challenges.

Although denials have been issued to the contrary by some sections of Syrian officialdom, it is plain to see that the "threats" in this context are the Western military alliance and the US.

For, this development comes in the wake of a heightening confrontation between the US and Iran on the nature of the latters nuclear programme. The fear of the US is that Iran may be developing nuclear weapons, which supposition, if correct, would pose a threat to US military superiority.

It is unlikely that Iran would be dissuaded from a course which it sees as securing its legitimate interests, provided matching compromises are made by the West.

Antagonistic statements targeted at Iran and Syria by the big powers of the West, certainly wouldn't help in easing these international tensions. Ideally, the West, led by the US, should enter into a constructive engagement with both Iran and Syria to facilitate peace-making in the Middle East.