DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Tuesday discussed with the Russian President's Special Envoy for the Middle Eastern Affairs Alexander Sultanov the dangerous developments in Gaza in light of the Israeli continued brutal aggression on the Strip.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed international and regional efforts, including the role that could be played by Russia to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza and withdraw the Israeli occupation forces from the Strip to put an end to the Israeli massacres perpetrated against the Palestinian civilians.

Al-Moallem and Sultanov also tackled means of lifting the siege imposed on the Strip; open all crossing points including Rafah to allow the flow of medical and human needs to reach the Palestinian people.

Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mikdad attended the meeting.

In a statement to the press following the meeting, Mr. Sultanov said "talks with Minister al-Moallem mainly concentrated on stopping bloodshed, and the painful situations in Gaza."  

"My country exerts intensified efforts to find a way out of this tragedy," he said, adding "Talks held during a latest phone call between President al-Assad and Russian counterpart were very important to activate efforts aiming at halting the Israeli aggression."  

Mazen