Syria and Saudi Arab have stressed that Arab unity is up-most need to face challenges, especially in face of the imminent challenges to al-Aqsa mosque, Old Jerusalem and the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.This was emphasized during the meeting between Syrian president Al-Assad and Saudi King Abdullah in Damascus last evening. Syrian president's spokeswoman Buthaina Shaaban described the meeting between the president and the king as positive and constructive. She said that two leaders awarded each other the highest and most prestigious medals in their countries. Analysts say that an understanding between Syria and Saudi Arabia could set the stage for the establishment of a unity government in Lebanon headed by Saad Hariri. Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia soured in the wake of the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, in February 2005.