by Paul Dakiki

This is the first visit by a Syrian president since the ouster of Syrian troops in 2005. Hezbollah threatens a government crisis and instability if the United Nations tribunal accuses its members of being responsible for the killing of Rafik Hariri. Changes in Damascus decrease Iranian influence in Lebanon.

Beirut (AsiaNews) - Syrian President Bashar el Assad and Saudi King Abdullah arrived in Beirut on the same plane, for a joint visit. It is the first by Assad after the expulsion of 30,000 Syrian troops from Lebanon in 2005, following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Abdullah arrived in Damascus yesterday to prepare with Assad for meetings today with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and members of the government. The hope is to calm tensions in the country of the cedars in the very real possibility that UN court will denounce members of Hezbollah as responsible for the killing of Hariri

Hezbollah is Syria’s most important ally in Lebanon; Rafik Hariri had close ties with Saudi Arabia. His son Saad is the present prime minister in Beirut.

Syria and Saudi Arabia have influenced the birth of a Lebanese national government - with the participation of Hezbollah - last November, after months of stalemate.

The Lebanese fear a possible crisis, together with instability and conflict, after Hezbollah leader Nasrallah denounced the UN tribunal as a tool in the hands of Israel.

According to observers, Assad and Abdullah will try to convince Nasrallah to accept the findings of the court, losing some members, but saving the presence of Hezbollah in Lebanon. This could lead to a weakening of Iranian influence on Hezbollah and Lebanon. Indeed in recent years, the influence of Tehran has decreased thanks to Syria’s change of position.

The first results of the United Nations tribunal indicate members of the Assad family as responsible for Hariri's death. To save itself from accusations Damascus has launched a diplomatic offensive across the board, opening up to France, the United States and in Lebanon itself, returning to be a privileged partner, after for 29 years as an occupying force in the country. Last December Saad Hariri even visited Damascus to cement the new friendship.

Saad said that today's visit will serve to create "greater stability" in the region.

• lebanon
• syria
• assad
• king
• abdullah
• saudi
• arabia
• hezbollah
• un
• tribunal
• tension
• hariri
• murder