Syria, Saudi Arabia leaders arrive in Lebanon for political talks

BEIRUT, LEBANON (BNO NEWS) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Saudi Arabian King Abdullah arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday in a joint mission to overcome political tensions.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman received both leaders in an unprecedented meeting aimed at defusing tensions stemming after Syria was forced to withdraw its troops after the murder of Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in 2005. Syrian troops had been deployed in Beirut for 29 years.

The visit symbolizes the first attempt to overcome the political crisis between the three countries. Syria allied with Iran to back Hezbollah against factions aligned with PM Hariri, an ally of Saudi Arabia.

It was the first visit to Beirut by Assad since the killing of former PM Hariri. On the other hand, King Abdullah was last in Lebanon in 2002, when he attended the Arab summit.

Both leaders expressed their concerned regarding information released by Hezbollah which indicates that Saad al-Hariri, son of the slain Sunni Muslim leader, told them that a tribunal would indict members of the Shi’ite group for the killing of his father.

Hezbollah said that if these indictments are, Sunni-Shi’ite tensions and possibly bloodshed could arise once more. The tribunal, based in The Hague, said that the indictments are nothing but pure speculation.

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