Al-Assad discusses with al-Barazani importance of Iraq's unity, averting dangers

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad yesterday in Damascus received the chairman of the Kurdistani Democratic party in Iraq, Masoud al-Barazani. Discussions dealt with issues relating to Iraq.

Meantime, a spokesman for the Syrian presidency said that al-Assad and Barazani discussed means of withstanding challenging facing Iraq.

Stress was laid on the need of "preserving Iraq's territorial integrity, preserving its independence and efforts to avoid it dangers." Al-Assad's meeting with al-Barazani came as a culmination to a visit started on Sunday during which al-Barazani was received by Syrian officials including the assistant secretary general of the Baath Party Abdullah al-Ahmar.

Al-Barazani's visit to Damascus was preceded by a similar visit held by the leader of the Kurdistani National Federation Jalal al-Talibani who, by his turn, was welcomed by senior Syrian officials including Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam.