President al-Assad and King Abdullah II of Jordan hold talks on regional issues

DAMASCUS, (SANA)-President Bashar al-Assad and King Abdullah II of Jordan on Sunday underlined the importance of finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the Arab peace initiative and international relevant resolutions to restore the occupied Arab territories in Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.

A final statement following a Syrian-Jordanian summit held by President al-Assad and King Abdullah II announced support to Arab, Palestinian and international efforts aiming at establishing a Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The two leaders also gave full support to the Palestinian National Authority in its efforts to establish the Palestinian state and build institutions, calling on the Palestinians to dismiss disputes and unify ranks to protect the future of the Palestinian issue.

They discussed the situation in Lebanon, showing respect for Lebanon's sovereignty , condemning assassinations perpetrated against the Lebanese people and rejecting foreign interventions in the country's internal affairs.

President al-Assad and King Abdullah II underscored the need to reach a Lebanese agreement to hold the Lebanese presidential elections according to constitution in a way that guarantees Lebanese sovereignty and preserves its national interests.

Both leaders referred to the importance of the positive role Syria could play to guarantee security and stability in Lebanon, and build normal ties between Syria and Lebanon based on mutual respect.

As for Iraq, the Summit pointed out to the importance of Arab role in supporting Iraq security, stability and territorial integrity.

"Any solution to the Iraqi issue should come from inside Iraq and meet aspirations of the Iraqi people away of foreign impacts which won't serve Iraq interests," the statement said.

The two leaders agreed to intensify efforts to boost Iraqi national reconciliation and make the political process there as success, rejecting forms of terrorism, violence and sectarianism.

President al-Assad and King Abdullah showed commitment to activate coordination and consultation among Arab states in order to crystallize unified Arab stances to face regional and international current challenges.

Both Leaders stressed keenness to boost joint cooperation between the two sisterly countries in all domains to reach practical solutions to a number of important bilateral issues, noting to the role of Syria and Jordan in deepening the joint Arab cooperation in the face of the current regional challenges.

During the summit, both sides conferred on bilateral issues regarding both states and finding active and serious solutions to them, particularly in regard to the economic cooperation, water, borders, detainees and security issues.

The two leaders affirmed the importance of enhancing economic ties between Syria and Jordan and facilitating trade exchange, calling for increasing the inter-trade volume to realize advanced levels.

In this framework, both sides agreed to sign a number of agreements including supplying Jordan with its needs of wheat from Syria and implementing agreements signed between the two countries, particularly their portions in al-Yarmouk River.

As for borders' demarcation between Syria and Jordan, the two leaders agreed to activate the efforts of joint committees to accelerate works on demarcating the borders to be completed within a specified time table.

In the framework of their commitment to joint stability and security, the two leaders underlined the importance of the joint security committees to start work to deal with all pending security issues , particularly towards facilitating steps of citizens' crossing between the two countries, security of borders and combating smuggling .

The statement affirmed commitment to work and coordinate with Arab states' leaders to build an Arab unified stance regarding Arab and regional issues away of any foreign interference, based on the protection of the Arab high interest and both countries' interests in facing political and security challenges in addition to combating terrorism and extremism.

President al-Assad and King Abdullah II of Jordan expressed commitment to intensify cooperation and coordination with Arab leaders to make the next Arab summit, due in Damascus in 2008, a success.

Thawra, ,Mazen