Al-Shara confers with Arab, foreign counterparts in Istanbul

The Syrian foreign minister on Monday evening in Istanbul on the sideline of meetings of the Forum on dialogue of civilizations met with the Lebanese foreign minister Mahmoud al-Hammoud and discussions dealt with bilateral relations and the Forum's agenda.

Al-Shara also met with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Oman, Iran, Sudan and with the Secretary general of the Arab league AL Amre Mousa.

Discussions dealt with the need of coordinating Arab and Muslim stances in order to provide this forum a success so as to attain meeting points between Europe and the Islamic world.

On Tuesday afternoon and on the sideline of the forum al-Shara met with the French Foreign minister Hubert Vedirine.

Discussions dealt with conditions on the regional and international arenas especially events taking place in the region.

During the meeting Vedirine noted the French ideas on reviving the ME peace process. Al-Shara appreciated the French position in particular and the European stand in general towards current issues.

Al-Shara also met with the British foreign office secretary Jack Straw and discussions dealt with bilateral relations and the situation in the region.