Al-Assad gets an invitation from Lahoud to attend Beirut summit

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday at al-Rawda Presidential palace received the Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud Hammoud. The meeting was attended by the foreign minister Farouk al-Shara.

The President received from Hammoud an invitation extended by the Lebanese President Emil Lahoud to attend the Arab summit due to be held in Beirut in March.

The President thanked Lahoud for his invitation and stressed he will take part in the deliberations of this summit very positively.

Discussions during the meeting dealt with current preparations to convene the Arab summit and to provide the necessary atmosphere to provide it a success and to reach a united Arab position towards challenges facing the Arab nation.

Discussions dealt with fraternal relations between the two states and issues of mutual concern.

Minister Hammoud arrived in Damascus earlier in the day and was welcomed at the Syrian- Lebanese border point by al-Shara and high ranking foreign ministry officials.