DAMASCUS - Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh is in Syria for talks that could lead to the formal launch of diplomatic relations between the two neighbours. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Salloukh shortly after his arrival in Damascus, the official SANA news agency said. 

During Salloukh's visit, Syria and Lebanon are expected to announce a formal date for the establishment of diplomatic ties for the first time since independence 60 years ago, and the opening of embassies. 

Salloukh is due to hold a press conference with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem at 0800 GMT. Assad on Tuesday issued a presidential decree to open diplomatic relations with Lebanon, where Syria was the main powerbroker for three decades until it was forced to withdraw its troops in 2005.