Syria stands by Lebanon against any Israeli aggression: Assad

DAMASCUS, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday stressed Syria's commitment to stand by Lebanon's government and people against any Israeli aggression, the official SANA news agency reported.

His remarks came from the meeting with the visiting Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Sunday.

President Assad and the Lebanese top legislator on Sunday discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the positive progress in the Syrian-Lebanese relations, the report said.

Talks during the meeting dealt with the Israeli repeated threats against countries of the region, which Assad accused last Wednesday that Israel is pushing the Middle East towards war, not peace.

Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned last Monday that it was vital to resume peace talks with Syria because otherwise a full-fledged war was likely to break out.

Berri's visit followed the visits of a number of the Lebanese officials to Damascus during the last two months.

The relation between the two countries deteriorated due to the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005; however, it has been thawed in recent months, particularly after establishing the new Lebanese government headed by Saad Hariri.