Floral tributes for prince Abdullah on vip tour in Beirut

Under a shower of rice and rose petals, crown prince Abdullah bin Abdull Aziz was chauffeured around Beirut by prime minister Rafik Hariri on the second day of a landmark visit that has kindled hope of more Saudi support for Lebanon's political and economic revival.

Following a lunch hosted by speaker Nabih al-Berri at Ein El Tineh, Abdullah was driven by Hariri to the largest reconstruction site in downtown Beirut, the $1.8 billion US dollars project, part of whose finances have come from the kingdom.

The motorcade also drove along the Corniche and through Hamra street where crowds thronged the avenue and covered the black Mercedes 600 with flowers as Prince Abdullah smiled and waved.

Earlier at Koraytem, Abdullah received politicians and spiritual leaders in separate meetings before gala dinner at Solidere's exhibition centre in Martyr's square attended by 800 political, religious and business notables.

In a display of his high regard for the royal guest, Hariri had vacated his palace for the prince.

It had been redecorated to make Abddullah feel at home during his 48-hour stay, which ends on June 28 when the prince and his 160 member delegation leave by road for Damascus and fly on to Saudi Arabia.

Nabih Berri said "There are three words that the prince said which are very important for me. The south, the Golan heights, and Palestine."

"I think that Saudi Arabia is capable of making an agreement between all Arabs, because there is no real unity between us and Netanyahu is the reason for us to forge links."

Saudi Arabia was the prime sponsor of Arab mediation efforts that culminated in the 1989 national reconciliation accord signed at the Saudi Red sea resort of Taif.