http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Lebanese PM holds "constructive" talks in Syria [The Source: /www.alarabiya.net - 20/12/2009] Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri held "constructive" talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on Saturday, ending five years of animosity between Syria and a broad political alliance led by Hariri. Assad gave Hariri a warm welcome at the capital's Tishrin palace, where the two young leaders shook hands and embraced before going into one-on-one talks. They met for three hours, stressing the need to set up "privileged and strategic ties" between the two countries to overcome years of tensions, officials s" I can say that the dialogue was constructive and the atmosphere was cordial "Buthaina Shaaban"I can say that the dialogue was constructive and the atmosphere was cordial," Buthaina Shaaban, an Assad aide, told reporters after a first round of talks that lasted three hours.She said the meeting had broken the ice between the two leaders who discussed all issues in a "frank, transparent and cordial climate".Shaaban also noted that Syria "broke with protocol" by inviting Hariri to stay at the Tishrin guest palace which is usually reserved for visiting monarchs and heads of state.The two leaders discussed plans to mark their porous common border as well as "the challenges facing the two countries due to Israel's occupation of Arab land," Shaaban added.Syria's state-run SANA news agency said Assad and Hariri discussed how to "bolster bilateral cooperation" and "ways of surmounting the negative effects which marred" ties in the past.It quoted Hariri as saying his government was determined "to establish real and strategic ties with Syria," while Assad spoke of the need to promote "privileged and strategic ties between the two countries." Earlier a press official from Hariri's office told AFP the visit "will open up a new phase in relations between the two countries." Political divide Lebanese analysts say an improvement of ties with Damascus would bridge a political divide in Beirut, easing sectarian tensions and providing Hariri with the necessary clout to push through long-delayed economic and other reforms.Hariri's billionaire father Rafiq, a five-time former premier of Lebanon, was killed along with 22 other people in a massive bombing on Beirut seafront nearly five years ago.Hariri and his U.S. - and Western-backed allies have in the past blamed Syria for the murder and for a string of political assassinations in Lebanon. The international community also widely blamed the murder on Syria.Outrage in Lebanon over the assassination and international pressure forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon in April 2005, ending three decades of military presence in its smaller neighbor.Hariri's coalition has often clashed in the past with Syria's allies in Lebanon, led by the powerful Iranian-backed group Hezbollah, and the political crisis has threatened to plunge Lebanon into a new civil war.Rapprochement between Syria and Saudi Arabia, which backs Hariri, earlier this year eased tension and allowed Hariri, who won a parliamentary election in June, to form a unity government that includes Hezbollah and other Damascus allies. Hezbollah, which fought a war against Israel in 2006, is the only armed group in Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist group by Washington but Hariri's government has said it is a legitimate force whose aim is to end Israeli occupation of some Lebanese territory. On Dec. 8 Hariri told the Lebanese parliament he wants to forge "brotherly ties" with Syria "to a level in line with the two countries' historical ties and mutual interest."