On Blair's visit to Damascus

News reports in Damascus said that observers in the Syrian capital considered the visit of the British prime minister Tony Blair was not included when his new tour on the ME region was declared, noting that this is an expression of the British keenness to reactivate and develop relations with Damascus and Britain's understanding to Syria's pivotal role in the region especially at the peace process level.

More over news reports in Damascus said that the Syrian circles which were to a certain extent surprised by this visit, expect Blair to have had carried with him thoughts and proposals that will crystallize statements he previously made during his recent visit to Cairo in which he stressed the need of pushing the peace process forward.

According to these sources Blair's talks in Damascus centered on three main issues relating to the current war in Afghanistan, the dimensions of the current campaign against terrorism; debating thoughts for certain steps that can rescue the peace process; and strengthening relations between the two countries on the ground of mutual understanding and the joint desire expressed repeatedly by the two sides.