Syrian, Egyptian Presidents Hold Talks on Mideast Peace ProcessSyrian President Bashar al- Assad held talks on Monday with visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on regional developments and stalled Middle East peace process.Assad and Mubarak, who arrived here Monday afternoon, discussed the regional situation in light of the Palestinian-Israeli clashes and the derailed Middle East peace process, Syrian Arab News Agency reported. The two presidents held an open session first and later went into a closed-door meeting, the report said. During their talks, the two leaders touched on the responsibilities of the Arab countries under the current situation, stressing the need to step up inter-Arab consultations. They also exchanged views on the ongoing contacts in the Arab, regional and international communities and expressed keenness on the Arab solidarity and joint efforts, especially in the existing circumstances. Mubarak's visit to Syria was aimed at coordinating the Egyptian- Syrian stand regarding the stalemate in the Mideast peace process, particularly as the United States, a major sponsor of the peace process, is welcoming a new administration on January 20 and Israel is preparing for a prime ministerial election on February 6. |
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