Hamas delegation visits Damascus

The Jordanian weekly al-Majd has stated that a leading delegation from the Hamas movement led by the chairman of the its political bureau, Khaled Mashaal, has concluded a visit to Damascus during which it met with Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and Minister of Information Muhammad Salman.

The paper said that the Hamas delegation briefed the Syrian officials on the latest developments concerning the Palestinian militant work and the measures taken against the movement during the past four months on the internal and external levels.

The paper added that the Hamas delegation listened to explanations from Syrian officials on Syria's stances and policies regarding the peace process in general and the already-suspended Syrian- Israeli negotiations.

Al-Majd added that the Hamas delegation expressed satisfaction over the assertions made by the Syrian officials on the determination of the Syrian leadership to preserve all Arab rights and totally abide by backing the cause of Palestine which constitutes the essence of the Arab- Israeli conflict.