BEIRUT: A large Lebanese delegation of around 50 political figures traveled to Syria for talks with President Bashar Assad Sunday in a move likely to raise tension in an already divided Lebanon over the crisis next door.

 

The visiting Lebanese delegation was composed of notable pro-Assad figures and parties from all sects, including Hussein Khalil, the political aide of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah; caretaker State Minister Ali Qanso; former minister Abdel-Rahim Mrad; Free Patriotic Movement MP Selim Aoun; Baath MP Assem Qanso; the secretary-general of Harakat al-Umma, Sheikh Abdel-Nasser al-Jabri; and others.

 

This was the biggest Lebanese delegation to visit Assad since clashes broke out in Syria two years ago. [Link]