Arafat, Assad End Meeting in Amman on Improving RelationsPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Amman Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the Arab summit to improve bilateral ties.This was the first formal meeting between the leaders of the two sides since 1993, when their relations soured after the Palestinians signed the Oslo peace accords with Israel. Syria has been opposed to any unilateral action to seek peace with the Jewish state. After a 45-minute meeting, Palestinian Minister of Local Government Saeb Erekat told reporters that the talks were "frank" and that "differences among the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon over the Mideast peace process have been narrowed." "The three sides are now in a better position to face up to the challenges after holding the contacts and consultations," Erekat said. He also said that the leaders did not mention their rift in the past, but agreed to set up a coordination mechanism between them on issues of common concern. |
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