New meeting between Lahoud and Hariri today

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri will meet today (Wednesday) with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud at Baabda palace in the course of completing meetings between the two sides.

This meeting, however, is of special importance, following Hariri's call on Monday to "extend the helping hand for all and for the government."

Hariri also met with the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, on Tuesday and on Tuesday night with the chairman of the Socialist Progressive Party, Walid Jumblatt, in what seemed to be preparation for meeting with President Lahoud today to coordinate stances.

There is an inclination that Hariri's visit today to Baabda palace will contribute to eliminating negative atmospheres that started to prevail towards convening a ceremony to be held tomorrow in the western Bekaa to lay the foundation stone for the Lebanese - Syrian university.

Intensive preparations have been made to make this occasion, held under the supervision of Hariri, a large people and political rally in which Syrian officials are also taking part. Yet, reports said the rally will not have a provocative attitude, especially following the visit of Hariri to Baabda palace and the desire of the Syrian officials not to invest this occasion to provoke sensitive matters between the government and the opposition.