The Shia Axis: Pro-Assad Lebanese Leaders in Syria as Hezbollah Chief Plans Iran Visit

More than 50 Lebanese leaders have visited Damascus and held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as the Lebanon-based Shia militant group Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah heads for Iran.

The developments - solidifying Shia Muslim allegiances across three conflict zones - are likely to have serious ramifications for the intense conflict in the region, further polarising the nations of the Middle East.

Hussein Khalil, the political aide of Nasrallah in Lebanon, was also part of the delegation which held dialogue with Assad, whose Shia-linked Alawite minority control Syria. This is the first such visit by prominent Lebanese political figures since the Syrian uprising began two years ago.

Assad has pledged to the group of leaders that the regime's unrelenting efforts in wiping out the "terrorist groups" will continue to take place alongside attempts at political solution. He however ruled out any reconciliation with the armed opposition groups.

According to Syria's state-run SANA, Assad said: "The situation in Syria is improving due to the steadfastness of the Syrian people and their rallying around the Syrian Army.

"Syria and Lebanon have always been pioneers in promoting unity and cohesion, particularly through nationalist, pan-Arab and Nasserite parties, which contributed greatly to spreading and bolstering pan-Arab nationalist sentiments."

The Lebanese group of leaders have also warned Assad that he is facing an "international conspiracy."

The two countries have been locking horns over cross-border incursions from Lebanese militants to assist the rebels fighting against Assad's regime.

Meanwhile Lebanon-based newspaper al-Nahar has confirmed that Nasrallah will visit Tehran in the coming weeks to discuss the situation in Syria. Hezbollah fought a bitter war in south Lebanon with Israel in 2006, whislt Iran and the Jewish state are in a tense stand-off over fears that the Islamic republic is developing nuclear weapons.

The Kuwait-based daily al-Rai al-Aam reports that the Iranian leadership has decided to "put all its weight into the ongoing battle in Syria." The decision has been reportedly made to balance the battle, which has been a huge cause of concern to all the countries in the region.

Unconfirmed local reports even suggest Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah, has already made a secret visit to Iran.