BEIRUT: Lebanese political figures were divided Monday over the potential consequences of Syria’s approval of the Arab League’s plan, under which Arab observers will visit the country. President Michel Sleiman welcomed Syria’s approval saying it will pave the way for stability in the country.

The president added he was “comfortable” with Syria’s decision and hoped that Syria’s ratification of the Arab road map would help solve the unrest that has shaken Lebanon’s biggest neighbor since mid-March.

But Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said the step was insufficient, arguing that the situation in Syria can no longer be solved through protocols.

“I am not optimistic about the agreement by Syria to accept Arab observers because the developments in Syria have surpassed the signing of an agreement and people now want regime change,” said Geagea.

In an interview with Radio Orient, Geagea said that regardless of whether Damascus cooperates with the team of Arab observers, the Syrian regime’s fall was inevitable.

“Cooperation with the Arab mission requires the implementation of Arab conditions like releasing all prisoners and allowing Syrians to freely express their opinions and hold demonstrations, which will ultimately lead to a greater number of people demonstrating [against the regime],” Geagea added.

In a news conference Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said that Damascus only signed the protocol after the league agreed to 70 percent of the changes proposed by the Syrian government.

Geagea called on the Lebanese government to take an official stance against the frequent incursions of the Syrian army into Lebanese territories. “There will be negative repercussions in Lebanon as a result of these incursions ... but the situation depends on the stance of the Lebanese government,” said Geagea.

But Marada Movement leader MP Sleiman Franjieh had a different view, arguing Monday that the conspiracy against Syria had reached an end.

“The countdown for the end of the conspiracy against Syria has begun and the government is here to stay and it’s intact under the leadership of President Bashar Assad,” said Franjieh.

In an interview with a local radio station, Franjieh said that Damascus signed the protocol based on its national interest. “Syria signed the Arab protocol on its own terms and not according to anybody else’s conditions,” Franjieh added.

Hours after Damascus’ approval of the protocol, the league’s chief, Nabil Elaraby, said the observer team would head to Syria within two days.

In a report last week, the U.N. said the number of those killed in the violent crackdown on protesters in Syria has exceeded 5,000.