BEIRUT, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji returned to Beirut Saturday evening after a one-day trip to Damascus, a Lebanese army statement said.

    The army commander, who left Saturday morning, was received by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and later met with Syrian Defense Minister Hasan Turkmani and army chief of staff Ali Habib.

    The army statement said that the discussions focused on the relationship between the armies of the neighboring countries, and means to develop the cooperation that serves common interests.

    "Talks covered means to confront Israeli threats, and coordinate security measures to combat terrorism and smuggling along the borders," the army statement added.

    The issue of missing Lebanese soldiers during Syrian confrontations with the Lebanese army when Gen. Michel Aoun headed the interim government from 1988 to 1990, was also discussed.

    Qahwaji's visit to Damascus, together with the visit of Lebanese Interior Minister Ziad Baroud earlier this month, comes after a decision was taken by both presidents in August to establish diplomatic ties for the first time since the independence of the two countries.