DAMASCUS, (SANA)-President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday underlined that Syria considers the restoration of Palestinian national unity as the only guarantee through which the Palestinian people can regain rights and boost the Palestinian stance at peace negotiations.

President al-Assad, receiving President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas, considered that the Palestinian issue was and still is the main issue for Syria and the Arabs, saying "Syria will not spare any efforts to support the Palestinians till reaching the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital."

Talks during the meeting dealt with the efforts exerted in order to end the Palestinian internal division. The two sides underlined the importance of continuing common coordination and consultation in the interest of both peoples.

For his part, President Abbas expressed appreciation of Syria's efforts and its role in supporting the Palestinian national reconciliation, particularly because Syria is a basic side in the region, the peace process and Head of the Arab Summit.

President Abbas briefed President al-Assad about the latest developments on the Palestinian- Israeli negotiations.

Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mikdad attended the meeting.

"Talks with President al-Assad were comprehensive, dealing with all proposed issues related to negotiations, the Palestinian inner situation and the indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel under Turkish meditation," President Abbas said in a statement to press following the meeting. 

He added discussions also dealt with the comprehensive inter-Palestinian dialogue and endeavors to apply the Arab initiatives adopted at Damascus Summit, underlining the importance of Syria's role in the Palestinian national  reconciliation.

Foreign Minister al-Moallem, for his part, renewed Syria's commitment to the unity of the Palestinians, underlining the need for accelerating the Palestinian national dialogue.

"Through our talks with all Palestinian factions, we support efforts exerted by Egypt to hold dialogue with the factions as this leads to the Palestinian national unity," Al-Moallem said.

Saeb Erekat, Palestinian Chief Negotiator described the meeting between Presidents al-Assad and Abbas as very positive that dealt with the details of the negotiations on the Palestinian track.

"During the meeting, we felt President al-Assad's keenness to make the Palestinian dialogue a success, restore the unity of the Palestinians and end division in the interest of the Arabs," Erekat said.

He added talks also tackled the Palestinian inner situation and Egypt's efforts regarding dialogue, asking President al-Assad's help in any possible domain to make the dialogue a success and end Palestinian division.

President Abbas visited Damascus on the 7th of July and discussed with President al-Assad the situation on the Palestinian arena and peace process as well as means of achieving the Palestinian national unity.

President Abbas left Damascus afternoon where he was seen off by Foreign Minister at Damascus International Airport.   

Mazen