President al-Assad congratulates Lebanese President on national day

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad has sent a cable of congratulations to Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on the occasion of the Lebanese national day. The cable read: "We, in Syria, are absolutely keen to enhance the fraternal ties between our two brotherly countries and expand areas of fraternal cooperation. It is a source of pleasure that work is continued to achieve this very objective which is a common interest for Syria and Lebanon, especially in our efforts to achieve the goal of a just and comprehensive peace in our region."

Similar cables of congratulations were also sent to the Lebanese president by both King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi crown prince, as well as the Saudi minister of defense, Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz.