SYRIA: Syrian president Bashar al-Assad met Qatar's leader, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, yesterday to discuss US pressure on Damascus following the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Mr Assad is also expected to fly to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours for emergency talks on Lebanon, a leading Saudi newspaper reported.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar are key US allies in the region. The official Syrian news agency said Mr Assad had lunch with the sheikh, but gave no more details. A Saudi foreign ministry spokesman could not confirm if a visit is planned. Syrian officials were not immediately available for comment.
Analysts and diplomats say Syria is seeking the help of friendly Arab countries allied to the US to defuse mounting pressure over its military and political influence in Lebanon.