Syrian President meets with Lebanese Prime Minister

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday at al-Chaab palace in Damascus received Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss.

The Lebanese Premier briefed President al-Assad on the results of the meetings of the joint Syrian - Lebanese economic committee recently held in Beirut and he "expressed satisfaction over the joint efforts exerted to develop economic relations between the two countries."

Talks dealt with a number of issues of common interest, foremost being the "situation in the region, the critical situation of the Middle East peace process, due to the Israeli anti-peace policy, and the repeated Israeli aggressions against south Lebanon."

Talks held between the president and the Lebanese premier revealed "a common evaluation of the current situation and agreement on the necessity of continuous coordination and cooperation between the two sides, as well as on the commitment to the option of just and comprehensive peace in the region, based on international legitimacy resolutions."

Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi also attended the meeting.

The Lebanese premier expressed his government's interest in developing relations with Syria in various areas.

The Syrian president said "Syria supports Lebanon in everything that brings good, security and progress to Lebanon and leads to the liberation of its land."

Later in the day, Syrian vice- President Abdul Halim Khaddam received the Lebanese Premier. Talks also dealt with regional and international conditions and bilateral relations.

Earlier in the day, the Lebanese Premier arrived in Damascus. On Tuesday afternoon he left Damascus following the one-day visit. At the Syrian-Lebanese borders, al-Hoss was seen off by the Syrian premier and several Cabinet ministers.