Al-Assad - Khatami talks a new page in the chapter of Arab-Iranian relations

President Hafez al-Assad and the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami on Thursday held talks that dealt with means of strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries and improving Iran's relations with the Arab states.

Spokesman for the Syrian president Jubran Koreyah said that talks also dealt with "the situation in the region, hostile moves against causes of the Arabs and Muslims, arising dangers and responsibilities emerging from these dangers on the burden of peoples and countries which are committed to their sovereignty, tights and independence and cooperation means of confronting these dangers, successfully."

The Syrian Presidential spokesman added that talks also covered recent developments and their impact on the relations between world states and international organizations, as well as the vital interests of peoples and countries.

The Iranian ambassador in Damascus, Hussein Sheikh al-Islam, said talks between al-Assad and Khatami will also cover means of strengthening cooperation for the Hizbullah party and the conditions of the Iraqi opposition.

The exceptionally warm reception for the Iranian President reflected the special interest given by Damascus for its relations with Iran.

Iranian warplanes escorted the plane of the Iranian President to the Syrian airspace.