Syrian and Arab political leader gathered Thursday in the late president Hafez al-Assad's hometown of Qerdaha to remember him 40 days after his death.
Speeches were read in Assad's honor at a ceremony attended by the entire Syrian government and representatives of all other Arab countries.
Lebanon was represented by President Emile Lahoud, Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Salim Hoss, along with Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Hizbollah group, Syria's state news agency SANA said.
Also attending the ceremony were Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdel Meguid and Israeli Arab MP Azmi Bishara, SANA reported.
Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam was to give a speech on behalf of the Baath Party.
Hafez Assad died on June 10th.
His son Bashar was named president July 11th after being approved by parliament and a national referendum in which he was the sole candidate.
He was sworn into office Monday - DAMASCUS (AFP)
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