BEIRUT, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese cabinet decided in its meeting Friday night that officials' visits to Syria should be controlled by a cabinet pre-decision, local Al-Nahar daily reported Saturday.

    The cabinet meeting, chaired by President Michel Suleiman, stressed that it has the exclusive power to decide on the visits of all Lebanese officials to any foreign country, said the daily.

    According to the report, the Lebanese cabinet also set the agenda for the upcoming visit of Defense Minister Elias Murr to Syria, confining it to the topics of border control, anti-smuggling and the implementation of UN resolution 1701.

    Earlier, Murr has presented to the cabinet a report on Gen. Jean Qahwaji's recent visit to Damascus, which took place with the knowledge of President Suleiman and Prime Minister Fouad Seniora.

    However, Al-Nahar reported that President Suleiman said Qahwaji's visit should have been put on the cabinet's agenda.

    Last Saturday's visit of army commander Gen. Qahwaji to Syria raised several criticisms by leaders from the ruling coalition.

    Moreover, the current visit of Christian opposition leader Michel Aoun to Damascus also triggered a strong wave of anger among pro-government leaders.

    The ruling coalition have expressed fear of a Syrian political return to Lebanon, after Syria's 29-year military presence ceased in 2005.