Beirut, (SANA) - A tripartite summit bringing together President Bashar al-Assad, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Lebanese President Michel Sleiman was held on Friday at Baabda Palace in Beirut.

A joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the summit.

The statement said that President Bashar al-Assad, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia held a summit at Baabda Presidential Palace in Beirut on Friday.

The statement added that the three leaders held talks on means of enhancing the national accord and internal stability in Lebanon and improving prospects of economic and social development.

The leaders hailed the positive development in the Lebanese arena since Doha Accord, stressing the continuity of dialogue and reconciliation as well as strengthening the national unity and fending off foreign dangers.

They also voiced solidarity with Lebanon in the face of Israel's daily threats, violations and attempts to destabilize Lebanon and undermine its sovereignty and independence.

The Arab leaders emphasized the importance of continued support of Doha Accord, following up on the implementation of al-Taif Agreement, going on with the National Dialogue Committee, commitment not to resort to violence, putting Lebanon's highest interest above all other interests and resorting to the legitimacy, constitutional establishments and to the National Unity Government to resolve disputes.

President al-Assad and King Abdullah reiterated their support to Lebanon and its President to the best interest of the Lebanese people.

Solidarity and Unity to Confront Challenges Facing Arab Countries

The Arab leaders reviewed the latest developments on the regional scene, highlighting solidarity and unity to confront the challenges facing the Arab countries, particularly Israel's challenge represented by its continued occupation of the Arab lands, its hostile and criminal exercises against the Palestinian people, its siege on Gaza and its condemned attempts to Judaize Jerusalem.

They also affirmed their commitment to confronting the plots targeting the Arab region and the schemes aimed to incite sectarian and confessional seditions which none of the Arab countries will be spared its consequences.

The leaders urged relentless efforts to establish a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the international legitimacy resolutions, Madrid terms of reference and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The meeting of the three Arab leaders were joined by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban from the Syrian side, and from the Lebanese side, by Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri and Foreign Minister Al- al-Shami, and from the Saudi side Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Chief of the General Intelligence Prince Miqrin Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Presidents al-Assad and Sleiman Exchange Medals

The Syrian and Lebanese Presidents exchanged medals. President Sleiman granted President al-Assad the National Order of the Cedar Grand Medal, the highest in Lebanon. President al-Assad granted President Sleiman Syria's highest medal, the National Umayyad Medal with the Great Sash.

Folowing the summit meeting, President Sleiman held a luncheon banquet in honor of President al-Assad and King Abdullah.

The banquet was attended by members of the official delegations accompanying President al-Assad and King Abdullah, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Prime Minister and a number to Lebanese Ministers and heads of parliamentary blocs and MPs.