Damascus, (SANA)-President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday discussed with the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa the latest regional and international developments, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and Iraq.

President al-Assad and Mr. Moussa also discussed the next meeting of the Arab Ministerial Council on the level of Foreign Ministers scheduled for late November where President al-Assad expressed Syria's deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip due to the Israeli siege and practices.

The President stressed  the necessity for the Arab League to shoulder its responsibility and come up from this meeting with successful decisions and recommendations that guarantee the breaking of the Israeli siege imposed on the Palestinian people.

His Excellency also said the Arab Foreign Ministers have to work in their meeting to reach a mechanism for the establishment of the Palestinian national unity to guarantee the unity of the Palestinian people.

The President and the Arab League Secretary stressed that the establishment of the Palestinian people's objectives depends on the unity of the Palestinian unity, and this necessitates that all the Palestinian factions look for common grounds rather than engaging in elements of division. 

President al-Assad renewed Syria's support and readiness to exert all possible efforts to achieve the Palestinian national unity.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and his Deputy Dr. Fayssal Mikdad.

Later, vice President Farouk al-Shara met the Arab League Secretary General.

In a statement to reporters following the meeting, Mr. Moussa said his meeting with President al-Assad focused on the Arab situation in general and the Palestinian situation in particular as well as the current and future developments in the region.

Mr. Moussa added that talks also touched upon the forthcoming meeting of the Arab League Ministerial Council which will discuss the Palestinian issues and the role Syria plays in this regard in its capacity as Head of the Arab Summit.

He stressed the AL commitment to continuously work for the national unity and accord among the Palestinians for the interest of the Palestinian issue and ending the inter-Palestinian dispute before it is too late.

Answering a question on the Syrian-Lebanese relations, the AL chief emphasized that these relations are based on social firm bonds that go beyond the traditional relations that exist between two countries.

Mr. Moussa expressed the hope that the election of Obama as President of the US will lead to the change which he carries as his slogan and around which a lot of voters rallied, adding that this gives the hopes that the next administration will adopt a new policy in the Middle East.

He added that this American role in the Arab-Israeli conflict must be honest as bias to Israel would lead to many repercussions in the peace process.

Mr. Moussa takes part in the underway meetings of the Arab Culture, Information and Communication Ministers in Damascus.

Ghossoun /  Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA