Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia are set to pay a joint visit to Lebanon. It is the first visit to the country by Mr Assad since 2005, when Syria was forced to withdraw its troops after the killing of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The two men are concerned that tensions may rise if, as rumoured, a UN tribunal indicts members of the Hezbollah movement for Mr Hariri's assassination. On Thursday, they pledged to work together to help stabilize Lebanon. Hezbollah is Syria's main ally in Lebanon, while Hariri had close links with Saudi Arabia. His son, Saad, is the current Lebanese prime minister. Mr Assad and King Abdullah are thought to have been instrumental in ending the five months of deadlock which preceded the formation of a unity government - including Hezbollah - in Lebanon last November.
