Lebanese Premier meets with Bashar al-Assad

Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Thursday met with son of the Syrian president, Bashar Hafez al-Assad.

During his one-hour meeting with the Lebanese premier, Bashar al-Assad was accompanied by chairman of the Syrian security forces working in Lebanon Lt. Gen Ghazi Kanaan and Maj. Gen. Rustom Ghazaleh.

Following the meeting, al-Hoss said, "I have welcomed Bashar's visit in which we see an assertion of the remarkable relations linking Syria and Lebanon and an expression of the ties of fraternity and amity between the two sisterly countries, as well as Syria's firm support to the Lebanese government in its new march to build the just and capable state, the state of the law and the institutions." He added that the visit signifies "Syria's total support for Lebanon in confrontation of the Israeli aggression against south Lebanon on the basis of the belief of the unity of people and destiny."

When asked if there is coordination between Syria and Lebanon concerning the situation in south Lebanon, the Lebanese premier said "Coordination is standing and continuous." He stated that he did not received any worrying news on Thursday about south Lebanon, "But we are always worried about renewed Israeli aggressions against the steadfast people of south Lebanon."

He added that Lebanon will take all necessary measures to prevent Israel from continuing its attacks against south Lebanon.