Bilal: Syria open to Lebanese embassy

DAMASCUS, Syria, July 19 (UPI) -- Syria is open to having an embassy in the Lebanese capital of Beirut and a Lebanese embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus, a Syrian official said Saturday.

Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal said Syria is attempting to meet Lebanese requirements for the proposed embassies in an attempt to foster better relations between the two countries, the Kuwait News Agency KUNA reported.

The diplomatic offices could help promote increased stability and national unity in Lebanon, the minister added.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Mu'alem is to deliver an invitation to Lebanese President Michel Sleiman to help move the proposal forward, Bilal said.

The information official told KUNA that talks regarding Israel's withdrawal from Middle Eastern lands are on hold until after the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.