High-ranking Syrian official to visit Ankara

Syrian sources said that Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Adnan Omran will head for Ankara by the end of the current month to complete a dialogue already initiated between Syria and Turkey during last March.

The sources said that Syria "does not pin great hopes on giving up its stances," especially those pertaining to the military alliance with Israel. The sources indicated Syria's desire to improve relations with Turkey, "opposed by internal factions in Turkey" such as the army and ousider factions such as "the US and Israel."

The Syrian sources stated that Omran's visit falls in the course of Syria's hopes of meeting a positive response in Ankara, noting Syria's positive attitude to sorting out suspended issues, foremost the partition of the waters of the Euphrates, and including Turkey's commitment to the recommendations of the most recent OIC conference held in Tehran providing for ending military cooperation with Israel as well as Turkey's negative statements against Syria.