Syrian and Saudi leaders urge calm on Beirut visit
World
Syrian and Saudi leaders urge calm on Beirut visit
The Syrian and Saudi leaders have called on Lebanon's rival factions to avoid turning to violence amid mounting political tensions in the country. The call came after unprecedented talks in Beirut between Saudi King Abdullah, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. They urged Lebanese to resolve issues through legal institutions. The trip marks progress in relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria - two of the region's most influential powers. Lebanon and Syria only exchanged embassies for the first time last year, and entente between them is seen as crucial to stability in Lebanon. The leaders stressed the importance of stability... the commitment (of the Lebanese) not to resort to violence and the need to place the country's interests above all sectarian interests, said a statement issued by the Lebanese presidency after talks between the three leaders.
