Abbas highlights Syrian-Palestinian Relations

Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) Mahmoud Abbas Thursday described relations with Syria as strong and solid, adding that a delegation of the Palestinian leadership will head to Damascus next week.

"The late PLO President Yasser Arafat was always in contact with the Syrian leadershipÉ there were continuous communicationsÉ and if the health condition of Arafat was good during his last three year, he would have paid numerous visits to Damascus," Abbas said in a press conference in Gaza.

He added the Palestinian delegation will brief the Syrian officials on the new developments since the death of Arafat, and the expected future.