Beirut – Syrian Army Chief of Staff General Ali Habib arrived in Beirut on Tuesday in the first such visit by a senior military official since the Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon in 2005.

Habib, heading a military delegation, will hold broad military talks that are expected to stress Damascus’ willingness to provide military assistance to Lebanon, a Lebanese government official said.

The delegation met President Michel Suleiman and is scheduled to meet Lebanese army commander Jean Qahwaji.

According to the Lebanese source, Habib’s agenda did not include a meeting with Prime Minister Fouad Seniora or Defence Minister Elias Murr, who are close to Lebanon’s anti-Syrian ruling majority.

The talks between the Syrian military official and his Lebanese counterparts will focus on joint cooperation between the Syrian and Lebanese armies in order to ensure the security of the two countries as well as control of their common border and counter-terrorism, the source said.

According to the source, Habib will focus on military aid, particularly in the area of increased training as well as offering military equipment and ammunition in addition to logistics assistance.

Syria, once Lebanon’s powerbroker, ended its 30-year military presence in Lebanon in 2005, shortly after the assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri, for which it was widely blamed. Damascus has denied involvement in the killing. (dpa)