The Lebanese Prime Minister, Salim Hoss, is in Damascus where he met the Syrian leadership for the first time since his appointment in December.

Syrian radio said Mr Hoss met President Hazef Assad and the Syrian Prime Minister, Mahmud al-Zohbi, but gave no details.

Syrian officials said beforehand that the Middle East peace process and other regional issues would be discussed, including the heightened tension between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in southern Lebanon.