Kaddoumi, Hammoud news conference in Beirut

A senior Palestinian official called for strengthening solidarity with the Arabs countries, particularly Syria in light of the latest developments in the region.

Head of Fateh Movement Central Committee Farouk Kaddoumi said overnight in a joint news conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud in Beirut that "we are with the Arab solidarity...particularly at this stage...this solidarity should be boosted." Kaddoumi added that forthcoming elections in the Palestinian territories would not be free and problem-free unless Israel withdraw its forces from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian official said the Middle East peace process should be based on the international resolutions that called for the "right of return" of Palestinian refugees home and the establishment of an independent state.

For his part, Hammoud said his talks with Kaddoumi centered on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories under the continued Israeli aggression.

He added the situation in Iraq as well as other issues on the Arab scene were discussed.

Kaddoumi earlier visited Syria where he met Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and held talks on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories and other issues.