Al-Assad, Khatami meet on developments in the region, stress Iraq's unity

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad welcomed President of Iran Muhammad Khatami upon his arrival in Damascus on Wednesday.

Talks dealt with bilateral relations and the situation in the region. Khatami stressed that Iran and Syria are concerned with the developments in the region and the situation in Iraq. Therefore, coordination, consultation and cooperation between them is important and necessary.

President Khatami praised Syria's stances that cling fast to stands and principles and which are open to the developments of the situation in the region, its security and stability.

For his part, al-Assad warmly welcomed President Khatami in Damascus, praising the Syrian-Iranian relations and the cooperation which preceded the occupation of Iraq, the importance of cooperation today for the sake of maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq and finding a just and comprehensive settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict and establishing peace in the Middle East region.

The two leaders have agreed that the only peace which could be viable is the peace which is based on justice and which guarantees people's rights, freedom and dignity.