Saudi King Abdullah's three day visit to Damascus this week is being seen as marking the end of the bitter dispute between the two countries.  It's a reciprocal visit, after the King hosted Syrian President Basher Assad twice during the past six months.

Ties between the two countries deteriorated after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who also held Saudi citizenship.   Although Abdullah and Assad sit on opposite sides when it comes to the foreign policy issues on Lebanon, the Palestinians and Iran, many in Lebanon hope that a full reconcilliation between Damascus and Rhyadh will have positive results for their country.

The visit is also seen as a sign, that the Saudies want to distance themselves from their previous support for the policies of the Bush administration.