Syrian president, Saudi crown prince discuss latest developments

In a closed-door meeting held at Damascus Tishreen palace, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz discussed the general situation in the region and the Arab arena, the current status of inter-Arab relations and tasks that the Arabs are to shoulder in "defending their just causes and the objective of just and comprehensive peace."

They also discussed the policy pursued by the Israeli government in damaging peace. Information was exchanged on contacts currently carried out by Syria and Saudi Arabia with both Arab and non-Arab sides.

Meanwhile Crown Prince Abdullah left Damascus for Amman following a two-day official visit.

In Amman Crown Prince Abdullah met with King Hussein of Jordan to talks in Amman yesterday night to discuss the Middle East peace process and the expected Arab summit. Jordan and Saudi Arabia indicated that it was necessary to prepare well for the summit.

Meanwhile, Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa stated that, "The peace process reached a dangerous crisis and that is Israel's responsibility," expressing his hope that the Arab views meet with the European views.

Al-Sharaa described the statements of French President Jacques Chirac over the Security Council resolution 425, calling for Israel to resume negotiations with Syria as a precondition for talks with Lebanon, as being strong and good and giving a clear French position.