UN: The UN Security Council yesterday adopted a resolution raising the pressure on Syria to establish diplomatic relations and settle its border with Lebanon.
Russia and China abstained, however, claiming the move constituted unnecessary interference.
The resolution, which was passed by 13 out of 15 votes, "strongly encourages" Syria to accept Lebanon's request to delineate the countries' border, "especially in those areas where the border is uncertain or disputed".
Diplomats said that was a reference to the Shebaa farms area, a tiny strip of land occupied by Israel.
The occupation is used as a justification for the continued existence of the armed wing of the Shia Islamist Hizbullah movement. The UN has previously said Shebaa is Syrian territory and that Lebanon must show documentation to prove otherwise.
Syria, which lobbied against the resolution, says it accepts Lebanon's claim in principle, but that it cannot delineate the border until Israel withdraws.
Beneath the rhetoric, however, analysts say both Damascus and Tehran view Hizbullah's armed wing as an ally and are reluctant to see its justification undermined.
The abstentions by Russia and China, however, risk emboldening Damascus, which already feels that international pressure on it has eased.
Syria said yesterday that the resolution was provocative and biased.
"The insistence of the sponsors of this resolution to pass it . . . constitutes uncalled for pressure and provocation that complicates the situation," a statement by the Syrian foreign ministry said.
"Syria cares about the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon and establishing normal Syrian-Lebanese ties independent of outside interference," the statement said.