Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah are in Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders. They aim to defuse tensions heightened since Syria was forced to withdraw its troops after the 2005 killing of former PM Rafik al-Hariri, BBC News informs.

They are worried conflict could break out if, as rumoured, a UN tribunal indicts members of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement over the killing. It is Mr Assad's first visit to the country since the assassination.

His visit marks a further development in formal relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria, which only exchanged embassies for the first time last year.  On Thursday, the two men - leaders of two of the most influential powers in the region - pledged to work together to help stabilise Lebanon.

Entente between Syria and Saudi Arabia is seen as crucial to stability in Lebanon.
Hezbollah is Syria's main ally in Lebanon, while the Saudis are deeply involved with the country's Sunni community and current Prime Minister Saad Hariri, son of the murdered ex-PM.

Mr Assad and King Abdullah are thought to have been instrumental in ending the five months of deadlock which preceded the formation of Lebanon's unity government - which includes Hezbollah - last November.