Assad ready but still waiting for the invitation to visit Lebanon

During a joint press conference with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday Syrian President Bashar Assad said he was ready to visit Lebanon at the appropriate time but after receiving an official invitation from Lebanese authorities.

“I am interested in visiting Lebanon at the appropriate time,” Syrian President Bashar Assad said in response to a question. “I haven’t received an invitation and (additional) steps should be taken by both countries.”

Assad said

“I visited Lebanon in 2002 when I was president. It is natural for another visit to Lebanon to take place. This is not unusual,” Assad added

He described Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s visit to Damascus as “successful.”