Egyptian - Syrian ties essential for promoting joint Arab action

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa conveyed Egypt's congratulations to the new Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad who was recently sworn in as Syria's 16th President.

Moussa wished Syria and its new President further progress.

"Egyptian-Syrian ties are vital and essential for promoting joint Arab actions as well as the Middle East peace process," Moussa told reporters.

Moussa who wished Damascus and its new president prosperity and progress said that Egypt is always interested in the developments in the Syrian arena

"Meanwhile he referred to the Iraqi situation and assured that Egypt adhered firmly to act effectively to lift the UN sanctions imposed on the Iraqi people since 1990" Amr Moussa told reporters Monday.

"Egypt will maintain its efforts to alleviate the UN embargo since the conditions of the Iraqi people are both unacceptable and regrettable," Moussa added commenting on a call to Egypt made by a former UN official to move more effectively in the light of its good ties with the US and Gulf states to lift the sanctions.

Former Official of the UN oil-for-food program Dennis Holiday had reiterated his call in last May after lambasting the program as a failure.

"The oil-for-food program with the UN had proved to be a failure in reducing the suffering of the Iraqi people," Haliday said.