Sources: Al-Assad, Arafat will not meet before formation of Israeli government

Syrian diplomatic sources denied that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat would visit Damascus before the formation of the new Israeli government.

Meanwhile, the Syrian official means of information ignored yesterday Arafat's statement that he is to meet soon with al-Assad.

Meanwhile, former US Secretary of State James Baker and Edward Djerjian, the former US ambassador in Damascus and Tel Aviv, are to visit Damascus within days, where the US embassy described their visit as special one.

Djerjian visited Israel days ago, and he is expected to meet with officials in Damascus, after urging Israel to reach peace with al-Assad. Baker played a major role in drafting the basis of the Madrid conference.