Syrian vice-president meets with Lebanese officials

Syria's vice-president has discussed with Lebanese Minister for Administrative Reform Affairs Bishara Murhij and coordinator general of the People's Committee League Maan Bashou current Arab developments and the Israeli military escalation in South Lebanon.

The statement issued in Beirut following the meeting said that viewpoints were identical on that Israel's killings of civilians in Lebanon is aimed at the same results as the killing of foreign tourists in Egypt: to obstruct economic and political progress in both countries.

The statement added that the meeting was a chance to evaluate the positive stand that recently emerged on the Arab level with a major Arab boycott of the MENA economic conference and the Arab stand concerning the US-Iraqi crisis.

The statement continued that Vice-President Khaddam asserted the need to purify Arab atmospheres and strengthen Arab solidarity, asserting that a positive reply to the MENA conference and similar regional projects intended to normalize relations with Israel will be made through establishing the Common Arab market.