Al-Assad: peace for us is a principle, rather a tactic

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday in Damascus received the special envoy of the Japanese government for peace in the Middle East Tatsoa Areema and members of the accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by the deputy premier and foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and the Japanese ambassador in Damascus.

Discussions dealt with the developments of conditions in the Middle East and the debated thoughts and ideas at the international level concerning the conflict in the region.

The president stressed that it is in Syria's interest to achieve stability in the region and that peace for Syria "is a principle and not a tactic," noting that there will be no move in that direction, unless elements connected to it are clear.

The president indicted that what the Palestinians are doing is a reaction to the acts of killing and destruction and expulsion carried out by Israel against them.

The president made it clear that security and peace are inseparable and that proceeding towards peace is the thing which contributes to halting violence.

The president encouraged Japan to play an active and serious role in order to achieve peace on the grounds of clear principles. The Japanese envoy expressed understanding for Syria's view point as put by President al-Assad.

Discussions also dealt with friendship and cooperation relations between Syria and Japan and prospects of developing and strengthening them.