Powel to visit Damascus on February 26

Well-informed diplomatic sources in Damascus said on Wednesday that the US secretary of State Colen Powel will pay a visit to Syria on February 26 in the framework of his first visit to the region since he assumed his new post in the American administration, in order to meet with President Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement to the United Arab Emirates UAE news agency, an American source said that the American secretary of state will arrive in the Syrian capital on Monday, February 26 to hold quick and important talks with President al-Assad.

The source added that Powel had desired to visit Damascus on February 25 but this date will be in contradiction with an expected visit by the Syrian President to Libya on February 24 and 25 to meet with Col. Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi.

However, damascus was not listed in the tour Powel had announced to make on February 23rd and lasts for five days. But he told the YS TV CBS his intention to enlist Syria in his quick tour but without giving any date for that.