Shaath in Damascus after Abu Mazin

The Palestinian official in charge of planning and international co-operation in the Palestinian Authority Nabil Shaath on Friday started a visit to Damascus, which is the second for a Palestinian official in less than one month.

The visit aims at completing preparations for a visit to Syria, expected to be held by the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat, who ( Arafat) asked Shaath to convey a message to President Bashar al-Assad.

Upon his arrival at the airport in Damascus Shaath said " we are here to arrange for the visit to be held by Arafat," which Shaath said will be made " as soon as possible." He added that " This visit is a step that aims at developing strategic and fraternal relations between Syria and the Palestinian Authority."

The Palestinian official said he will be meeting today ( Saturday) the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and noted that his visit to Syria will last two or three days.