Bush praises al-Assad's developmental measures

The Syrian News Agency SANA said on Wednesday that US President George Bush stressed on Tuesday before the new Syrian ambassador in Washington his support for an Arab- Israeli settlement based on the principle of land for peace and that the US president praised the key role Syria plays in the region and the developmental measures President al-Assad carries out in Syria.

SANA explained that Bush stressed during receiving the credentials of the Syrian ambassador Rustoum al-Zou'bi in the presence of the US national security advisor Konda Lysaris that " Syria and the US have a joint commitment to reaching a just and comprehensive peace in the region based on UN security council resolutions 242 and 338, the land for peace formula and the Madrid conference terms of reference." President Bush added that attaining a progress to this end need a joint commitment and confidence among all sides of the conflict, stressing that his country is ready to help all sides to reaching the realization of the comprehensive peace in the region.

SANA continued that Bush praised the " developmental steps made by President Bashar al-Assad," showing his desire to build stronger and more varied relations between Syria and the US.

The US President expressed his hope to have the chance to meet with President Bashar al- Assad and expressed satisfaction over the visit made by the US secretary of state Colin Powell to Damascus on February 26.