Saudi, Syrian, Lebanese flags in Beirut
Lebanon is on alert in expectation of the planned visit tomorrow by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Saudi King Abdallah bin Abd Al-Aziz.
The visit is aimed at advancing understandings that will prevent deterioration of Lebnaon's security situation, in light of the prevailing tension in the country in advance of the release of the report of the international tribunal for the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri, which is expected to accuse Hizbullah of the deed.
Elements in Lebanon, headed by the Al-Mustaqbal faction, have expressed optimism and hope that the visit will save the country from civil war; other elements, including the Al-Safir daily, doubt that Arab leaders can find a real solution to the crisis.
The Lebanese press reports that as part of the preparations for the visit, Lebanese, Syrian, Saudi, and Qatari flags have been placed along the streets of Beirut. The Al-Safir daily reported that photos of Assad, King Abdallah, the Qatari emir, and the Lebanese president, as well as of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with the slogan "Defend Lebanon to Defend the Region" printed on them have been posted throughout the city of Tripoli.
Sources: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar, Al-Safir, Al-Liwaa, Lebanon, July 29, 2010
