Presidents Mubarak, al-Assad hold Damascus summit

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Friday made a one-day visit to Damascus. After his arrival from the airport with President Hafez al-Assad at the Damascus's People's Palace, the presidents held a meeting.

The presidents' meeting was attended by Syrian Vice President Zuheir Masharqa, Prime Minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi, Information Minister Muhammad Salman and the Syrian ambassador in Egypt, Issa Darwish. On the Egyptian side the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri, Information Minister Safwat al-Sharif, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, Chairman of President Mubarak's office for political affairs, Osama el-Baz and the Egyptian ambassador in Damascus.

Following the main open-door meeting, the two presidents held a closed-door meeting. Simultaneously, members of the Syrian and Egyptian delegations held a meeting.

Talks dealt with a number of issues and matters existing in the region in light of current developments.

Both sides gave special attention to the stalled Middle East peace process. The two sides stressed the Arab commitment to just and comprehensive peace on the grounds of international U.N. resolutions.

The two sides, moreover, reviewed topics related to Iraq and Libya and stressed their pan-Arab positions and national interest.

Talks also tackled a number of economic issues expressing interest in continuing cooperation and coordination between the two countries for their interests and the Arab interest alike.

The two sides expressed interest in following up on the development of bilateral relations and expanding them in various fields.

Later in the day, President al-Assad held an Iftar banquet in honor of President Mubarak and members of his accompanying delegation.

Later in the day, President Mubarak left Damascus and he was officially seen off at Damascus airport.