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.
