LEBANON OFFICIALS VISIT SYRIA TODAY

A Lebanese government delegation will visit Syria today in the highest level visit in years, aiming to pave the way for a US-backed plan to ease a power crisis in Lebanon by transmitting electricity via the Syrian grid.

The delegation will discuss the plan by which Egyptian gas will be used to generate electricity in Jordan that will then be transmitted via Syria, a Lebanese official said.

The delegation will be led by Zeina Akar, who holds several portfolios including that of foreign minister.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will receive the delegation, which also includes the ministers of finance and energy, at the border.