Al-Assad, Castro discuss regional issues, bilateral relations

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday at the Damascus al-Shaab palace received President Fidel Castro of Cuba and members of the accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by Vice- President Muhammad Zuheir Masharqa, the speaker of the people's Assembly Abdul Qader Qaddoura and the foreign minister Farouk al-Shara.

Talks during the meeting dealt with some regional and international issues in the light of changes that have swept the world during the end of last century and the reflection of these changes on regional and international conditions both at the political and economic levels.

Discussions also covered latest developments in the world arena as well as bilateral relations and ways of strengthening them for the interest of both friendly countries.

Later in the day, Presidents Bashar al-Assad and Castro held a separate meeting.

Later on, the President held a dinner banquet in honor of President Castro and the accompanying delegation. High ranking Syrian officials and directors of information foundations attended the banquet.

Castro arrived in Damascus on Tuesday afternoon for a two-day official visit to the country at an invitation by President Bashar al-Assad.

The Cuban President was welcomed by President Bashar al-Assad and high ranking Syrian officials.

The two leaders had a short rest at Damascus airport' s Honor Hall and then headed in an official procession to the People's Palace where an official reception was held.

The delegation accompanying the Cuban President comprised the foreign minister, the secretary of state council, the chief of the foreign relations committee of the National Assembly ( parliament) and the chief of the University Students federation.