Arab Knesset member Azmi Bishara revealed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad informed him during their meeting in Damascus the day before yesterday of his readiness to meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Syria at any time he wishes.
Bishara stated that President Assad assured him “that the doors of the Syrian capital are open to all Palestinian leaders and officials, and they can visit at any time for consultation, cooperation, and coordination in all areas.” He also mentioned that Assad asked him to convey this stance to Arafat, clarifying that the key to any visit Arafat wishes to make to Damascus is to prepare and organize it in advance to achieve the desired goals and objectives.
Bishara anticipated that Syrian-Palestinian relations would witness significant political developments within a few weeks. For its part, Palestinian opposition sources in Damascus confirmed that Arafat would visit Syria “very soon.”
Additionally, Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, during talks held yesterday with Nayef Hawatmeh, Secretary-General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, affirmed his country’s support for the uprising and the need to implement the decisions of the Arab summit calling for the cessation of all forms of relations with Israel.
Ali Badwan, a member of the central committee and spokesperson for the front, stated that the meeting, attended by Nasser Qaddour, Syrian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Fahd al-Suleiman, member of the Democratic Front’s political bureau, deeply discussed the development of the independence uprising, the pressures of Israeli aggression, settlement activities, destruction, and starvation.
Moreover, it was announced in Damascus yesterday that a committee was formed to support the uprising.