Syrian President receives Foreign Minister

Damascus, March 04, SPA -- President Bashar Al-Assad of the Syrian
Arab Republic received here today Foreign Minister Prince Saud
Al-Faisal.

According to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the reception discussed
the Arab situation, and the challenges facing the nation, citing the
recent Arab divisions.

President Al-Assad maintained that Arabs must reach a method to
manage differences amicably, build upon the common elements. This is
in itself reduces the area of differences, particularly when there
are essential issues on which Arabs cannot differ: Arab rights and
Arab best interests. He stressed that relations between Arab
countries should always be in the service of Arab peoples and their
higher interests, leading to enabling Arab countries perform their
duties, particularly towards Palestine and Iraq.

Talks included Palestinian conciliation and intention of the two
countries to support it.

The reception during which Prince Saud Al Faisal conveyed the
greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud and his invitation to the President to visit the
Kingdom was positive and constructive.

The audience was attended by Walid Al-Moallem, Syrian Foreign
Minister; Dr. Buthayna Shaaban, Political and Information Advisor
with the Syrian Presidency; and Dr. Faisal Meqdad, Deputy Foreign
Minister.

On the Saudi side, the audience was attended by Dr. Khaled Al
Jindan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for
Bilateral relations.
--SPA