On the Palestinian presence in Syria

The London-based al-Quds al-Arabi daily said in a report quoting Western reports that the continued presence of the Palestinian opposition organizations in Damascus constitutes an obstacle before resuming peace talks between Syria and Israel.

A well-informed source told the New York Times daily that all indications reveal that there will be no long-term for such Palestinian activities in Syria.

In this respect, Syrian Information Minister Muhammad Salman told a New York Times correspondent that, "No change has been made in the role played by the Palestinian organizations in Syria and Jordan."

He added that putting restrictions on the activities of these Palestinian organizations will be a sort of "gift" to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

However, the Syrian minister left the door open by saying, "The Palestinian groups existed in Syria can continue their political and media activities."