BEIRUT, Lebanon -- The progress achieved through the Iranian-Saudi talks on resolving the Lebanese crisis and other regional issues is a main item on the agenda of Syrian president Basher Al-Assad during his official two-day visit to Tehran starting Saturday, "informed" diplomatic sources here said.

The Lebanese "Al-Mustaqbal" newspaper quoted the sources as saying that the situation necessitated a higher level of talks between Syria and Iran, such as the Assad-Ahmadinejad talks; a summit seen as crucial for bilateral relations and common interests.

On the Lebanese side, Iran is eager to know Al-Assad's stance and intentions over establishing the proposed international tribunal to investigate the assassination of late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri, and to assess the implications of such stance on Syria and the situation in Lebanon.

According to Al-Mustaqbal, the Iranian leadership will acquaint Al-Assad with results of talks with the Saudis. Al-Assad will also be informed about the results of Tehran's consultations with other Arab and international parties concerning the Iranian nuclear program, in addition to the pressures on the country in that respect.

Ahmadinejad is expected to communicate to Al-Assad "Tehran's great concern that the alliance with Damascus does not form any obstacle to the current progress or any understandings reached later with Saudi Arabia on various issues, particularly regarding efforts at solving the Lebanese crisis," the sources said.

According to the same sources, Iran finds it useful to re-evaluate the developments and challenges facing the two countries as well as the whole region.

They said that at the time when Iran seriously considers Russian and Saudi warnings not to go too far with rejection of proposals for international negotiations, Tehran hopes that Syria would employ like caution which is repeatedly urged by both the Arab and international community.-Kuna