Paris, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad met on Sunday at his residence in Paris President of Lebanon General Michel Suleiman and discussed with him the bilateral relations and regional developments.

Presidents al-Assad and Suleiman agreed that issues of mutual interest are bilateral issues and everything related to them will be a Syrian-Lebanese decision, and that means for improving relations between the two countries will be discussed during the upcoming visit of President Suleiman to Damascus upon an invitation from President al-Assad..

President al-Assad affirmed that Syria always supports Lebanese consensus and everything that bolsters Lebanon's security, unity and stability.

Regarding the peace process, the two sides agreed to coordinate in order to reach the ultimate goal of achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region.

On the Palestinian issue, both Presidents affirmed their support of Palestinian unity of ranks which forms a guarantee for strengthening the Palestinian position in peace negotiations and enables the Palestinian people to restore their rights and establish an independent state.

The meeting was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Fawzi Salloukh.

In a statement to the press after the meeting, President al-Assad affirmed that Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem will be visiting Beirut to deliver an official invitation to Lebanese President General Michel Suleiman to visit Damascus and discuss issues between the two countries.

In joint statements with President Suleiman following their meeting in Paris, President al-Assad responded to a question regarding coordination with Lebanon in peace talks by saying "We have discussed this issue with President Suleiman today, and when matters become clear Lebanon will play an important role in the peace process," pointing out that the issue is still at its beginnings.

Regarding Syria's participation in the Union for the Mediterranean Summit and its stance towards it, President al-Assad said "the Union is part of the Barcelona Process which we were a part of, and we believe it was unsuccessful because there was no serious effort for peace."

President al-Assad pointed out that Syria insisted on making the political issue one of the basic components of the Union for the Mediterranean. For us, peace is a priority, and actual economic cooperation cannot be achieved without peace," President al-Assad stated, stressing the need for an international inclination for supporting the peace process.

For his part, President Suleiman announced that he will be visiting Damascus at a time which will be determined later to hold talks with President al-Assad.

In response to a question on the relations with Syria, President Suleiman affirmed that relations with Syria are normal and that diplomatic relations is an extra subject to arrange the general situation.

Regarding ending the Lebanese crisis, President Suleiman affirmed that the crisis can only be ended completely by carrying out the Doha Agreement and the decisions of the Arab Foreign Ministers, adding that this has already begun and that reconciliation and dialogue will come later.

On the work of the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Council, the Lebanese President said the Council never stopped working and that what is currently being carried out is the restoration of the relations between the two countries.

In response to a question on the method which Lebanon will use to restore its occupied lands, President Suleiman said "the occupied lands will be restored via diplomacy, and if diplomacy fails then by military actions."

H. Sabbagh / Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA