Beirut, July 2 (SANA)Syrian Foreign Minister and ExpatriatesAsaad Hassan al-Shaibanimet Lebanese PresidentJoseph Aounin Beirut on Thursday, where the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic cooperation.

The meeting focused on ways to deepen cooperation betweenSyriaandLebanonon the basis of mutual respect and good-neighborly relations, according to the foreign ministry.

The two officials also discussed mechanisms to enhance economic ties and reviewed the latest regional and international developments of mutual interest.

The visit comes as Damascus and Beirut seek to advance bilateral engagement on a range of political, economic and cross-border issues following recent high-level contacts between the neighboring countries.