Beirut - Lebanese President Michel Suleiman will meet his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on the sidelines of the Union of the Mediterranean summit opening Sunday in Paris, local radio stations reported Wednesday.

"The talks will focus on returning brotherly relations between the two countries after statements from both presidents expressing the willingness to establish diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria," Voice of Lebanon radio reported.

Suleiman, accompanied by Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh, heads to Paris on Saturday where he will meet Assad, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and as well as Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who are participating in the summit.

Relations between Syria and Lebanon have soured since the forced withdrawal of Syria's troops from the country in April 2005, following the assassination of former billionaire premier Rafik Hariri.

Damascus, which was accused of being behind the assassination, has vehemently denied any involvement. (dpa)