On Arafat's visit to Damascus

Member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Asaad Abdul Rahman said that the visit of the chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat to Syria is still valid regardless to its timing and that the Syrians welcome him ( Arafat ) at any time, noting that arrangements are being made concerning this visit.

In statements to the press on Saturday, Abdul Rahman said that in the past the nature of conditions in the Palestinian territories did not permit Arafat to leave the territories, but the situation has become different now and that Arafat can visit Damascus at any time, adding that Arafat's visit to Syria, is welcomed by President Bashar al-Assad, personally.

However, the statements of the Palestinian official came in reply to news reports which said that Arafat was supposed to visit Damascus last Wednesday at a prior arrangements and agreement with the Syrian leadership, but Arafat did not arrive in Damascus at the set date.