Syria Today | Franjieh and Jumblatt visit Damascus

Franjieh and Jumblatt visit Damascus

Lebanese Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on April 21.

During a meeting at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Assad and Franjieh discussed the importance of promoting Lebanese-Syrian ties and of strengthening relations between both nations, particularly in the face of Israeli aggression, Lebanon’s Daily Star newspaper reported.

Franjieh is the latest in a string of Lebanese politicians to visit Syria in recent months. He has, however, long shared strong relations with Damascus and is a key figure in his country’s pro-Syrian March 8 movement.

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt, a former foe of Syria, made a second visit to Damascus last month to meet with Syria’s Assistant Vice President Mohammad Nassif. Little was reported about the visit in the local media.

Jumblatt had long been a staunch critic of Syria, accusing the country of being behind the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Last year, Jumblatt split from Lebanon’s March 14 alliance and aligned himself with Hezbollah. His public apologies to Syria in recent months culminated in a visit to Damascus at the end of March to meet with Assad.

As Syria Today went to print, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri was also expected to make a second visit to Damascus.