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Syrian Leader Assures Annan of Commitment to Peace
Syria's new army chief Thursday assured U.N. chief Kofi Annan of his country's commitment to achieving peace in the Middle East and of its support to Lebanon's demands for full Israeli withdrawal.
During his meeting with Annan here on Thursday, Bashar al-Assad, General Commander of the Syrian Armed Forces, pledged to continue cooperation with the United Nations, with a view to establishing a fair and comprehensive peace in the region, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported.
Bashar also reaffirmed Syria's support to Lebanon's just demands for full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories, the report added. Syria is the major power broker in Lebanon.
On his part, Annan offered, on behalf of himself and the United Nations, condolences to the Syrian people and government as well as Bashar's family members, over the death of President Hafez al-Assad on June 10 at age 69.
Annan spoke highly of Assad's positions and cooperation with the United Nations to achieve world peace and progress.
Also attending the meeting were Syrian Foreign Minister Faruk Shareh, U.N. special envoy to the Middle East Terje Larsen, and U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast.
Annan arrived Thursday afternoon on a one-day visit to Syria, the last leg of his Mideast tour that has taken him to Iran, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian self-rule areas.
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