Al-Assad meets Russian Defense Minister in Syria

President Hafez al-Assad on Sunday at Damascus al-Chaab palace received Russian Defense Minister Marshal Igor Sergiev and members of his accompanying delegation.

The Russian official conveyed a communique to President al-Assad from Russian President Boris Yeltsin "on the development of relations between the two countries in various fields." Talks centered on developments in the region and the world and the promotion of bilateral relations.

President al-Assad asserted "Syria's interest in bilateral relations and in developing them to serve the interests of the two countries and people."

Later in the day the Russian official and his companions left Damascus following a three-day official visit to Syria.