World Bank chief visits Syria, Lebanon

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday received the president of the World Bank, James D. Wolfensohn. Talks dealt with financial and economic conditions in the region and the activities carried out by the W.B.

On Tuesday night, the Syrian deputy prime minister for economic affairs, Salim Yassin, discussed with the W.B chief relations between Syria and the W.B. and its affiliated establishments as well as available opportunities for technical and technological cooperation.

Wolfensohn praised Syria's achievements and asserted support for the efforts exerted by the Syrian government to develop the economy. The W.B. chief arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for a three-day visit to Syria.

Meanwhile Wolfensohn arrives today in Beirut from Damascus, Lebanese daily al-Nahar reported. The paper added that the W.B. chief will meet later in the day with Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in the presence of the governor of Lebanon's central bank, Riad Salameh, and chairman of the construction council, Nabil al-Jeser.

The paper added that talks will deal with the possibility of the W.B. offering a new loan to Lebanon, whereas Lebanese banking sources said that talks will also deal with financial relations between the bank and the Lebanese government.

On Tuesday Hariri made a telephone call with the W.B. President upon learning that Wolfensohn was in Damascus and invited him to visit Beirut. Lebanese Minister of State for Financial Affairs Fuad al-Sanyoura described Wiligston's visit as "important, especially under the current conditions."