On President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Britain

The Lebanese al-Osboo al-Arabi magazine said today that identical Syrian and British signals were issued concerning an official visit to be held by President Bashar al-Assad to Britain very soon.

The magazine said that these signals came after assessments were made that the visit was canceled because of the recent developments in Palestine and South Lebanon and that there is tension in the Syrian- British relations because of Damascus' position towards these developments.

The magazine quoted British diplomatic sources as saying that London clings to completing this visit and to express through it a policy different from that pursued by the US which is making increasing pressures on Syria and pushing her because of these pressures to get apart from the anti terrorism international alliance.

The sources quoted the British prime minister Tony Blair as saying that he is convinced that President Bashar al-Assad is a partner of a great role and effect in the peace process and that it is necessary to continue dialogue with him despite the differences in the view points concerning several issues.