Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam held a meeting with Massoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, to discuss the Iraqi issue following the return of inspectors and the issuance of Resolution 1441, as well as the anticipated prospects. An official source from Syria announced that the two parties “affirmed the unity of Iraqi territory, the preservation of Iraq’s independence, and efforts to avert potential risks.” This meeting marked the conclusion of Barzani’s week-long visit to Damascus. Notably, Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, had visited Damascus two weeks prior and had also met with the same officials.