Lebanese president says may visit Syria if necessary

BEIRUT, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Thursday that he may go to Syria if discussions about common interests between the two countries necessitate such a visit, according to Lebanon's presidency website.

"If it is necessary to make a visit to Syria to solve issues between the two countries, then I will do it. If not, ambassadors and ministers can make these visits instead," Aoun said.

The president's remarks came during an open dialogue session with a Russian media delegation to discuss matters including oil and gas, relations between Russia and Lebanon, and issues related to Syrian refugees.

Aoun said Lebanon has already maintained ties with Syria on different levels.

Lebanese politicians are sharply divided on the issue of the country's relations with Syria.

While Hezbollah and its allies support normalizing ties with the Syrian regime, Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Future Movement, the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party say normal ties are not possible until a political solution is reached for the Syrian conflict.