Abbas: Syria is a cornerstone in our causes

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas stressed Friday that Syria is a essential and important element in all Palestinian, pan-Arab and historic issues.

"Syria has a significant role on both Arab and international arenas, so we realize her stance which is supporting us and preserving the Palestinian unity to be able to reach aspirations," Abbas stressed.

"I realize that President Bashar al-Assad is so keen on the Palestinian issue as well as the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights," Abbas said in a press conference when leaving Damascus airport to Beirut.

The PA chairman clarified that he noticed very well Syria's eagerness regarding the Palestinians as well as achieving progress for the Palestinian issue.

For his part Syria's Foreign minister Farouk al-Shara, who was seeing off Abbas at the airport, described the meeting between President Bashar al-Assad and PA chairman as "very successful," saying "Syria was and is still a meeting point for our Palestinians brothers whenever they get apart or disagree."

"The meeting between PA chairman and leaders of the Palestinian factions constitutes a significant start in the interest of the Palestinian issue as well as in the Palestinian national unity which we all so care about realizing even in hard circumstances," the minister said.

Al-Shara indicated that history and geography have a very important role in Syria's foreign policy and efforts for making security and stability in the region.