(BERLIN) - Syria must stop arms smuggling across its border with Lebanon if it wants to continue to emerge from international isolation, Germany's deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said Monday.

Steg said German Chancellor Angela Merkel held impromptu talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the sidelines of a Mediterranean summit Sunday as a result of Damascus's announcement it would open diplomatic ties with Lebanon.

He said Berlin and the international community were now waiting for Syria to follow through on its pledge and to address other problems that had led to its pariah status.

"If Syria aims to show its good will with this announcement then it could also follow up with good deeds and that would include, for example, a readiness to ensure that the alleged -- at least never ruled-out -- weapons smuggling over the land route to the Hezbollah militias is stopped," Steg said.

"That would also contribute to the security of Lebanon."

Syria and Lebanon announced Saturday their decision to establish diplomatic relations, a first since their independence from colonial rule.

"We want to see actions now because enough words have been exchanged," Merkel told reporters after her talks with Assad in Paris.

Steg said Syria's declarations were grounds for hope that it was ready to end its "in part self-imposed isolation".

"Now the Syrians must prove that they truly intend to play a responsible role to bring about peace and security in the Middle East and that they want to work together constructively," he said.

Assad broke out of international isolation by attending the summit, which included indirect talks through Turkey between him and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Arms smuggling between Lebanon and Syria's 170-kilometre (105-mile) long border is believed to be rampant.

Israel accuses Syria outright of supplying weapons to the militant Shiite group Hezbollah.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.