Hariri back from Damascus

Prime Minister Rafik Hariri returned from Damascus yesterday at 8:30 p.m., after a meeting with the Syrian president Hafez Assad and several Syrian officials. During the meeting, which lasted four hours, Assad and Hariri discussed the important local issues as well as the regional developments.

Hariri described the talks as "very positive." Sources reported that Hariri's Damascus visit has provided further support to his government and has aimed to repair his relationship with speaker Nabih Berri. The prime minister met with Syrian Vice-president Abdel-Halim Khaddam and several high officials just before leaving Damascus. Minister of Communications Bassem El-Sabeh participated in some of the talks.