Syrian defense minister confers with Lebanese counterpart

Syrian deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass on Tuesday in Damascus received the commander of the Lebanese army, Gen. Michael Suleiman, and members of the accompanying delegation.

Talks dealt with relations between the two armies and means of developing them in the service of the two states' interests.

Earlier in the day, the Lebanese army commander arrived in Damascus and was welcomed by the Syrian army's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Ali Aslan.

Gen. Suleiman visited a Syrian army unit, where he was welcomed by Bashar al-Assad and several army officers.

In the afternoon, the Lebanese army commander left Damascus for Beirut, concluding a one-day visit to Syria.