For a week starting today General Michel Aoun meets with Syrian officials. This is one of the most controversial visits since President Suleiman took the Presidency. Worth keeping an eye on it.

Three years after his return from a 15-year exile, Maronite opposition leader Michel Aoun shakes hands with the son of the man who forced him out of his homeland.

Aoun, a retired general, current MP and the head of one of Lebanon's major Christian coalitions, arrived Wednesday in Damascus, where he was greeted by Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad and ushered to Qasr al-Shaab to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. [NOW Lebanon]

Future MP Hadi Hobeich:

The Syrian regime's welcoming of General Aoun was to demonstrate the service Aoun did for Syria. President Sleiman did not receive such a welcome when he visited Syria.

Others' visits to Syria are different from that of General Aoun because he carries October 13 with him and he cannot jump over it.

As March 14 we are concerned with strengthening the state and army; whereas, the other group cares about strengthening one group at the expense of the state. An example is that the Syrian and Iranian support to Hezbollah, not to the state. [NOW Lebanon]