Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his visit to Beirut is linked to the formation of the new government and with "negotiations between Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and myself."

In an interview with India's The Hindu newspaper Assad said he was comfortable with the objectivity of the international tribunal to try suspects in the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.

Assad said he believed the tribunal will perform its duties "objectively."

"Things are moving on the right track and we hope this court will enjoy a high performance status and will not be politicized," Assad said.

On the possibility of opening an embassy in Lebanon, Assad said: "Yes … we have no problem in that."

"When you have a bad relation with a country, you withdraw your ambassador or close the embassy … But now after the formation of the unity government it's only normal for Syria to open an embassy in Lebanon," Assad explained.

Assad travels next week to India on a maiden visit and the first by a Syrian head of state to the South Asian nation in 20 years, officials said.

In the interview, Assad spoke of the "rise of India and China" and said both Asian giants "should play a role with other countries in making a balance that we have missed for more than 18 years."