Assad and Hariri cement ties

DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad urged Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to support Hezbollah, the SANA news agency said.

The two met Sunday in the Syrian capital of Damascus to discuss bolstering ties between the two countries and ways to guarantee Lebanon's security against growing regional threats, the news agency said.

They also discussed Assad's visit to Beirut with Saudi King Abdallah last month.

Hariri has visited Damascus a number of times this year -- a sign of Syria's renewed involvement in Lebanon since Damascus withdrew its troops from the country in 2005.

The two countries have signed 18 agreements this year, pledging to cooperate on a wide range of issues, the agency said.

At a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman last month, Assad stressed the need to preserve Lebanon's unity, security and stability in the region, the report said.