Al-Assad confers with Berri, Lebanese elections at center of talks
President Hafez al-Assad on Wednesday noon at al-Shaab Palace in Damascus received speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri. Talks dealt with conditions in the region and several issues of concern to both Syria and Lebanon.
According to Lebanese parliamentary sources, the meeting between President al-Assad and Berri lasted for four hours. Berri said talks were "excellent and comfortable by all means." Berri refrained from giving details.
Lebanese political sources said the Damascus meeting would open the door before preliminary measures, including consultations. The Lebanese political sources expected an invitation to be extended to Lebanese President Elias Hrawi for a summit meeting with President al-Assad within two days on the one hand and to prepare the atmosphere to amend article 49 of the Lebanese constitution in its third item. The sources added that today's moves will reveal what was "not made public" earlier.
Commander of the Lebanese Army Lt. Gen. Emil Lahoud met with Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It was said that the two men discussed constitutional issues. In this context, Lebanese parliamentarian Rashid al-Khazen announced his intention to nominate himself for the Presidential election. Former Lebanese Premier Omar Karami announced support for amending article 49 of the Lebanese constitution. Lebanese parliamentarian Butros Harb, who has declared his candidacy for the presidency, opposed the amendment, which would allow public-sector employees such as Lahoud to run for president and clear the way for an extension of Hrawi's term of office.
Also within the same context a delegation representing the "national bloc" voiced following a visit to the Lebanese presidential palace support for extending the term of President Hrawi for another three years. Hrawi has previously indicated that he does not want such an extension.
On Wednesday night, following his visit to Damascus, Berri met in Beirut with President Hrawi. Berri briefed Hrawi on his Damascus talks with President al-Assad.