Expected Syrian- Egyptian summit in Cairo

The Lebanese daily al-Lewa, said on Thursday, according to well-informed sources that preparations are now underway to convene a summit between President Bashar al-Assad and President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo.

The paper explained that this summit falls in the course of Egypt's backing to the Syrian negotiation position with Israel especially as US and western circles have expected the resumption of negotiations between Syria and Israel in August.

Concerning the National Progressive Front in Syria, the sources said the at the meantime the work of the front is being reconsidered with the aim to strengthen its role through paving the way for political parties to join it.

The sources expected that each of the parties of the National Progressive Front will be permitted to issue a special paper and this paper will be licensed officially.

Meantime, the London- based al-Hayat daily said in its Thursday's issue, quoting Palestinian sources that the Syrian position has become more positive towards accepting the visit of Yasser Arafat to Damascus. The Palestinian sources said the delegation of the Palestinian legislative council which will visit Damascus on July 25 to recite verses of the holy Koran on the tomb of the late President Hafez al-Assad, will seek to arrange a visit for Arafat to Damascus.