Syrian minister in Beirut talks

Mouallem is expected to invite the Lebanese president to visit Damascus

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem has visited Beirut, a week after Damascus agreed to establish formal diplomatic ties with Lebanon.

Mr Mouallem delivered an invitation for Lebanese President Michel Suleiman to visit Damascus.

Lebanon and Syria have had a strained relationship since the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri.

Many Lebanese blame Syria for the 2005 killing, but it has consistently denied any involvement.

In 2005, Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon after a presence of 29 years, following massive domestic and international pressure after the assassination of Mr Hariri.

Since then, a number of Lebanese leaders have called for Syria to send an ambassador to Beirut to show that it acknowledges Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.

Mr Mouallem is the highest ranking Syrian official to visit Lebanon since the withdrawal of Syrian troops shortly after Mr Hariri's death.

'Brotherly co-operation'

"This visit will open a new era in bilateral relations, following the tensions of the last three years," Mr Mouallem told Lebanon's al-Safir newspaper.

"We hope to overcome these tensions and look forward to brotherly co-operation between Syria and Lebanon. We have all the conditions needed to succeed."

In May this year, Lebanon's parliament elected Mr Suleiman as president, ending deadlock which has left the post vacant since November.