U.N. hails Syria, Saudi trip to Beirut

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 30 (UPI) -- The visit Friday to Beirut by the Syrian and Saudi heads of state is a historic opportunity to bring stability to Lebanon, the U.N. special envoy said.

Saudi King Abdallah joined Syrian President Bashar Assad in a Friday visit to Beirut after the two leaders met earlier in Damascus. Both leaders held closed-door meetings at the palace of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman.

Tensions are high in Lebanon following the revelation that a U.N.-backed tribunal may indict members of Hezbollah in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who had close ties with the Saudi monarchy.

Hezbollah Secretary-General criticized the allegations, describing the Special Tribunal for Lebanon as an "Israeli project."

Michael Williams, the U.N. special envoy to Lebanon, said the Beirut visit by the two state leaders was a boon for regional affairs.

"The visit of these Arab heads of state will be enormously important and beneficial for Lebanon's stability and future," he was quoted by Lebanon's news agency Naharnet as saying.

Williams said he viewed the diplomatic engagement as a sign that Lebanese leaders were anxious to work with their neighbors to resolve "the issues that face Lebanon and bring stability for the coming months."

Abdallah last year made his first trip to Damascus since assuming power in 2005. The visit was credited with helping Beirut form a unity government following June 2009 parliamentary elections.

Reports in the official Syrian Arab News Agency said leaders on all sides were anxious to bring calm to Lebanon as the Hariri case develops.

"Obviously we're very concerned about some of the tensions that have taken place here, and we want to see if those can be settled," said Williams. "I believe they can."