Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has hailed the recent normalization of diplomatic relations between Damascus and the Arab world, saying the rapprochement will have a "positive impact" on neighboring Lebanon. He made the remarks during a meeting with former Lebanese President Michel Aoun, in the Syrian capital after 14 years.

Assad said he believed that "Lebanon's strength lies in its political and economic stability, and that the Lebanese are able to create this stability through dialogue and consensus, and above all by adhering to principles and not betting on changes," l 'official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

He also stressed that "Lebanon's stability is in the interests of Syria and the region at large." "Syria and Lebanon cannot look at their challenges in isolation from each other," Assad said, noting that the Arab rapprochement -Syrian which recently took place at the Arab League summit in Jeddah "will have a positive impact on Syria and Lebanon". The Syrian president also said that Aoun "played a role in preserving fraternal relations between Syria and Lebanon for the benefit of both countries".