States move to defuse Lebanon tension

Beirut, Friday

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Lebanon today for the first time since the 2005 murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri in a joint mission with Saudi King Abdullah to defuse a tense political situation.

The two leaders flew in together from Damascus and were greeted at Beirut airport by Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of the slain Sunni leader, as well as other dignitaries.

They were then headed to the presidential palace for a mini-summit hastily organised to address tensions over reports of an impending indictment against members of the Shiite militant group Hezbollah for Rafiq Hariri’s murder.

First visit to the country

It is the first visit to the country by Assad since Hariri’s assassination soured bilateral ties and forced the pullout of Syrian troops from Lebanon after a 29-year deployment.

Damascus has consistently denied accusations that it had a hand in the killing.
Relations between the two countries have been on the mend since 2008, when diplomatic ties were established for the first time.

Prime Minister Hariri has also made four trips to Syria in the past eight months.
Saudi Arabia, a staunch supporter of the Hariri family, has played a key role in the rapprochement between the Arab neighbours.

Saudi and Syrian flags were being flown throughout the Lebanese capital on Friday for the unprecedented joint visit, along with huge portraits of the king together with a welcome message.

Security was also tight, with additional army and police deployed.

The visit by the Saudi and Syrian leaders is scheduled to last only three hours and includes a lunch to be attended by some 250 officials, among them members of the unity government which includes two Hezbollah ministers. (AFP)