Al-Assad, Chirac review Middle East developments

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday received a telephone call from President Jacques Chirac of France. Talks dealt with several issues of concern, including the Middle East peace process and efforts exerted for reviving it.

The French president informed President al-Assad on the position toward the Middle East taken by the G-8 summit recently held in Cologne, Germany.

He also reiterated France's positive position towards the Middle East peace process and its determination to continue efforts in this area.

The Syrian president welcomed the French efforts and reasserted Syria's positive position towards the Middle East peace process.

Talks between the two Presidents also dealt with bilateral relations between Syria and France and other issues of bilateral concern.