President Assad in a Visit to Saudi Arabia and Jordan

Riyadh-Amman 18-19/10- 2000

His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Al-Assad arrived here Tuesday in a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. President Assad's visit came in afew days before the convening of an Arab Summit in Cairo October 21st through 22nd amid intensive dilomatic efforts as to calm down the region escalating tension due to the ongoing Israeli aggressions and non-adherence to peace requirements and demands.

 The Saudi Monarch, Fahd Bin Abd Al-Aziz, and Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abd Al-Aziz, received President Assad warmly along with the accompanying delegation including Foreign Minister, Farouk Al-Sharaa'.

 Israeli aggressive acts against Palestinians and sanctities in Jerusalem topped the agenda of Assad's talks with Saudi Crown Prince. Furthermore, the talks touched upon the forthcoming Arab Summit, coordination, consultation as well as bilateral relations and cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

 Meantime, the US Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, who came empty handed from what seems to be, for most observers, a "failure summit'' in Sharm El-Sheikh, briefed Saudi officials on the summit outcomes. His Excellency, President Assad met Albright Wednesday morning in presence of FM Farouk Al-Sharaa, and the US Coordinator for Mideast peace Process, Denis Ross, and Assistant Secretary of State, Edward Walker. President Assad's talks with Albright dealt with the precise condition in the region resulting from the Israeli military acts and escalation against Palestinians considering the big number of Palestinian victims. President Assad held Israel responsible for the escalation and blasted the impacts of this escalation and the increasing Israeli threats on conditions in the region as well as on Mideast peace process.

"Such a continued Israeli policy would never lead to the aspired-for just and comprehensive peace,'' President Assad underlined calling for a detailed tackling of the issue of just and comprehensive peace considering the requirements of such a peace. President Assad reiterated that whatever solutions should consider the requirements of just and comprehensive peace, the aspirations of the Arab Palestinians as to restore their legitimate rights as well as the hopes and aspirations of Arabs and Palestinians. "Albright's coming to Al-Riyadh to meet President Assad has important and significant indications clearly pointing to Syria's position and her pivotal and basic role in the region,'' the Syrian 'Al-Baa'th' Daily wrote. "Tishreen'' Daily noted that President Assad's current visit to Saudi Arabia came in follow up for Syrian moves as to reactivate Arab joint action and solidarity paving the way for an Arab

successful summit up to the level of looming dangers and risks. "Al-Thawra'' Daily noted that the visit main thrust was in 'the interest of the Arab nation present and future' as to find ways to confront future challenges and current threats.

 His Excellency later on flew to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Two meetings were held, one of them closed to discuss the general situation in the region in light of the Israeli assaults against Palestinians and the holy sites of Jerusalem. '' Talks have dealt with the general condition in the region in the light of the Israeli hostile actions in the Palestine  and in the holy sites. They also included Israel's continued escalation of these actions and intimidation to the Arab parties.

A parallel meeting took place between Foreign Minister Farouq al-Sharaa and his Jordanian counterpart Abdul Ellah al-Khtib.

 Jordan's' Information Minister Taleb Rifai told reporters President Assad's visit to Jordan was very significant in its aims and content. He said this visit would add its distinctive characteristic to the Syrian –Jordanian ties and depicted talks between the two Arab leaders as very significant in light of the President Assad's tour in the region and the upcoming Arab summit.

President Assad Arrived in Emirates

Abu Dhabi 22-1-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Al-Assad held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on the general conditions in the region, Arab condition in the light of the Israeli anti-peace stances and its continued aggressions against Palestinians.

The talks, one in a closed door session between the President and the Crown Prince, focused at bilateral relations and joint wish to bolster them at all levels and with standing tasks before the Arab countries as to consult, cooperate, and coordinate in the face of the standing threats. The Syrian-Emirate viewpoints were in agreement. President Assad's talks with UAE officials touched upon the New US Administration where a positive viewpoint on the Administration was held by both sides with optimism over this Administration, Sharaa' declared. On the sidelines of the visit, President Assad received a Lebanese MP, Emile Emile Lahoud.

President Assad Arrived in a Historic Visit to Iran

Tehran 24-1-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Al-Assad arrived in a historic visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran Wednesday for talks with Iranian officials including the Spiritual Leader of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Ayattallah Al- Sayed Ali Khamani, President Mohammad Khatami and others.

A session of talks was held between President Assad and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Khatami on the developments of conditions in the region, scores of regional and international issues of joint interest, as well as bilateral relations and ways of boosting them on all levels. President Bashar Hafez Assad reiterated Syria's keenness on bolstering relations of friendship and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran at all fields in the interest of both countries. In a meeting, in the second day of his visit , with Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatallah Al-Sayed Ali Khamani, President Assad highly evaluated Iran's stances in support of Arab rights and causes and of the Syrian policy in defense of the just causes of Arabs.

President Assad paid tribute later on to the Monument of Ayatallah the Great Al- Imam Khumaini, where he recited verses of the Holy Koran to the rest of his soul highly lauding Khumaini's support for Arab and Islamic causes especially the cause of Palestine. The Syrian and Iranian sides touched upon conditions in Palestine and deplored the Israeli aggressions against the Palestinian people and their rights and against sanctities reiterating support for the Palestinian rights as to restore their territories. Both presidents noted to the importance of boosting positive relations in the region and treating the negative ones with a spirit of understanding and cooperation to surmount them.

President Assad Held Talks with Bahraini and Saudi Officials

Manama, Riyadh 13-2-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Al-Assad held talks here Wednesday with Saudi Monarch, Fahid Bin Abdalaziz, and Saudi Crown Prince, Emir Abdullah Bin Abdalaziz on bilateral relations between both brotherly countries considering ways and means of their boosting, conditions at the Arab and international arenas, as well

as on issues of joint interest.

His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Al-Assad arrived here Tuesday in a short visit at the end of his two-days visit to Bahrain.

The Saudi Cabinet endorsed yesterday the establishment of a Free Trade Zone between Saudi Arabia and Syria authorizing the Saudi Finance and Economy minister to sign an agreement to this effect.

His Excellency President Bashar Assad held talks in Manama Monday with the Emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa on bilateral relations between Syria and Bahrain and ways of boosting and enhancing them in all fields, conditions in the region, as well as on international issues of mutual interest. The talks also dealt with new developments at the regional and international arenas and necessary means as to support Arab solidarity. Syrian-Bahraini talks focused at scores of regional and international issues including Mideast peace process where Syria's basics and just demands for the realization of just and comprehensive peace were underline on the basis of the full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories, Madrid terms of reference, and on the principle of land for peace. Both sides voiced support for the Lebanese right to restore the remaining of its Israeli-occupied territories in Chebba Farms, and for the ongoing Palestinian Intifada reiterating their call for the restoration of Arab solidarity.

Manama 12-2-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Assad held talks here Monday with the Emir of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa on bilateral relations between Syria and Bahrain and ways of boosting and enhancing them in all fields, conditions in the region, as well as on international issues of mutual interest. The talks also dealt with new developments at the regional and international arenas and necessary means as to support Arab solidarity.

President Assad Held Talks in Libya

Tripoli 25-2-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Hafez Assad held talks here Sunday with Libyan Leader Muaa’mer Qadhafi on issues related to the Arab condition, Palestinian Intifada, recent regional and international developments, as well as on bilateral relations between both countries. President Assad earlier paid tribute to monuments of martyrs, who failed at Hani Battle and at a US raid against Gadhafi’s house.

President Assad Wrapped up a Visit to Morocco

Rabat-Tunis 11-4-2001

President Bashar Assad and his wife arrived to Tunisia Wednesday evening concluding a fruitful visit to Morocco. President Bashar Assad met in Rabat, Morocco Wednesday with members of the Syrian Community in Morocco. President Assad was briefed on the Community living and residence conditions and directed them to spare no efforts as to clarify Syria's national stances in defense of the Arab rights and in confronting the Israeli enemy.

President Bashar Assad held talks with the Moroccan Monarch on conditions in the Middle East in light of the escalation of the Israeli aggressions in Palestine and the ongoing Arab contacts as to provide support for the Palestinian Arab People, and on ways of reactivating Arab solidarity in the face of the standing challenges. His Excellency, President Bashar Hafez Assad arrived in Fez Monday afternoon in a visit to Morocco along with his wife, where they moved to Rabat Tuesday and paid tribute to the Monuments of Mohammad the 5th and late King Hassan the 2'nd.In Rabat, President Assad received consecutively, the Moroccan Premier, Abdulrahman Al-Youssefi, Parliament Speaker, Abdulwahid Al- Radhi, President of Advisors Council, Mostafa Akasha. Talks during the meetings dealt with bilateral relations and ways of

boosting them, condition in the region in light of the Israeli escalating aggressions against Palestinians, as well as with exerted efforts as to reactivate Arab solidarity.

President Assad and the Moroccan Monarch, in a joint communiqué, reiterated the necessity for commitment to Madrid Terms of Reference as the basis for the realization of just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East in implementation for related UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338. The joint communiqué underlined that the realization of just and comprehensive peace necessitates the full Israeli withdrawal to the line of June4 1967 from the Golan Heights, the Holy Jerusalem, and from the remaining of the Lebanese territories. The leaders of both countries voiced full support for the ongoing Palestinian Intifada and condemned the Israeli policy of closure and siege against Palestinians as well as the Israeli threats against Syria and Lebanon, which weren't in the interest of the region stability.

The leaders of both countries called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the Iraqi people, the sovereignty of Kuwait, the reactivating of Arab rank and solidarity and called for Arab coordination as to create a united Arab stance regarding the Euro-Med Partnership.

President Assad Arrived in Morocco

Damascus 9-4-2001

His Excellency, President Bashar Hafez Assad arrived here Monday afternoon in a visit to Morocco along with his wife. President Assad was given a red-carpet and a 21-gun salute warm official and popular welcome. President Assad, later on, held a meeting with the Moroccan Monarch on conditions in the Middle East in light of the escalation of the Israeli aggressions in Palestine and the ongoing Arab contacts as to provide support for the Palestinian Arab People, and on ways of reactivating Arab solidarity in the face of the standing challenges.

President Assad called for a deeper consideration for the Arab public opinion.

President Assad Visited Tunisia

Tunis 12-4-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Assad held a meeting with his Tunisian counterpart, Zine Al-a hbddin Bierne Ali, yesterday, part of which was attended by Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa' and the Tunisian FM Al-Habib Bib Yahia, on the Syrian-Tunisian relations and prospects of enhancing and bolstering them The talks also touched upon current regional and international issues. Both Presidents voiced satisfaction over the development of bilateral relations boosting as well as a joint desire as to upgrade these relations in the future.

Prospects of joint Arab action in the light of the recent Arab Summit outcomes were also dealt with where the Tunisian President voiced his country's support for the Syrian right as to restore in full the occupied Golan Heights. Presidents Assad and Bin Ali voiced concern over the serious escalations caused by the Israeli aggressions and by the Israeli government renege on its obligations.

Cordova /4/5/2001

Under the joint patronage of President Bashar Assad and King of Spain Juan Carlos on Thursday evening opened ''From Damascus to Cordova Exhibition''at alZahra Palace which had been the headquarters of the Omayyad Caliph,Abdul-Rhaman the Third.

In his opening speech President Assad reviewed the joint history which ties Spain and Syria. He indicated that although the Arab Era in Andulusea had extended from 8th to 15th centuries A.D When the Omayyad rule had achieved prosperity and stability for more than three hundreds years there. He underlined that the Arab civilization in Andulusea represents an important period of time when amity, forgiveness and the cultural and social interaction prevailed the various peoples  

The President stressed that the relations between Damascus and Andulusia that ad developed in the past should continue through the Syrian Spanish relations and the Euro-Arab relations. Earlier in the day, following a session of official talks, President

Bashar Assad and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar held a joint press conference. Mr.Aznar stressed the importance of President Assad's visit to Spain which is his first official visit to Spain. He indicated that his talks with President Assad dealt with bilateral relations and with the Syrian relations with the European Union as well as the Middle East peace process. He pointed out that at the end of next June a declaration framework for the new Spanish-Syrian relations will be issued and this framework is based on promoting a regular political dialogue between the two countries, reviewing the trade and economic agreements where the volume of the trade exchange between the two countries stands on /250/ million US dollars.

 For his part President Assad indicated that his talks dealt with various issues particularly the standing bilateral relations, the regional and international situation and the peace process .

 On the possibility of reaching a peace deal with Israel before the Palestinians do President Assad indicated that peace should be Comprehensive and that partitioned agreements would never Lead to a real peace . He underlined that all the tracks of the peace process should Move together in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace.

 Regarding the possibility of reaching peace with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ,the President underlined that Sharon Is very well known in Europe .His history of oppression and violation of human rights as well as the UN security Council in addition to the killing of several innocent people.

 On the US. new Middle East policy, the President indicated that nothing new so far appeared from the US new administration toward the peace process except for the issue of Iraq where they show interest in solving it. His Excellency President Bashar Assad met here Friday with members of the Syrian Community in Spain. The president exchanged talks with members of the delegation on ways and means of boosting bonds of friendship and cooperation between Syria and Spain. The Syrian Community members voiced their pride over the national Syrian stances under the leadership of President Bashar Assad. President Assad also met a delegation representing Fe-Arab Federation representing all Latin America. Talks touched upon life conditions of Arab expatriates in Latin America and their historic role in boosting relations with their countries of origin. President Assad had breakfast today with the Secretary of the Socialist Spanish Party, Maneul Chiapes. The President yesterday opened along with the Spanish Monarch, Juan Carlos, an exhibition on historic relations between Syria and Spain. Damascus Radio focused today at President Assad's willingness, in his press conference, for the realization of just and comprehensive peace. " President Assad's statements during the visit uncovered the Zionist falsifications and consecrated Arabs' cling to just peace,'' the radio said.

Meantime, Spanish media focused at President Assad's press statements especially those pertaining to the Israeli rejection of peace. Other media means elsewhere spoke of the President's call for a stronger more active European role in Mideast peace process.

President Assad Arrives in Oman

Muscat 12-5-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Assad arrived here Saturday in a visit to the Sultanate of Oman where he was received by the Omani Sultan Qabous Bin Sai'd.

Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Sharaa' and an official delegation accompany the president in his visit. Omani media highlighted today the importance of President Assad's visit in boosting the standing relations increasing cooperation and coordination between both sisterly states in their mutual interest.

President Assad Held Talks with Omani Officials

Muscat 13-5-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Assad arrived here Saturday in a visit to the Sultanate of Oman where he was received by the Omani Sultan Qabous Bin Sai'd.

Assad-Qabous talks focused at the recent developments in the region, and at the Arab and international fora as well as bilateral relations boosting in the interest of both countries. The talks underlined the importance of boosting Arab solidarity as

to encounter present challenges. Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Sharaa' and official delegation accompany the president in his visit. President Assad received at his residence in Muscat on Sunday afternoon a delegation representing the Syrian community living in Sultanate of Oman. During the meeting which was attended by Foreign Miniser,Farouk alShara and the Syrian Ambassador in Muscat,Riyad Naasan Agha,

The President was briefed on the situation and activities of the community in Oman.

President Assad asked members of the Syrian community to be ambassadors of their countries in the Sultanate and contribute to the strengthening of the brotherly relations between the two countries in all fields. Earlier President Assad received the accredited Arab ambassadors in Muscat . Talks during the meeting dealt with the current Arab situation and the recent development in the region as well as the stalemated peace

process due to the Israeli hostile policy. The President stressed during the meeting the necessity for unifying the Arab ranks and to cherish the points where Arab countries meet. He also stressed Syria's commitment to the resolutions of the international legitimacy and Madrid reference as well as her care to achieve just and comprehensive peace. The President called on for the continuation of serious defending of the Arab rights and the support of the Intifada of Arab Palestinian people, as well as the activation of the Arab public or more joint Arab action.

President Assad-Egyptian Official

Cairo15-5-2001

Egyptian Presidential Political Advisor, Dr.Osama alBaz welcomed the forthcoming visit of President Bashar Assad to Egypt particularly at a time when an Arab firm stance is needed to face the current challenges which are represented by the Israeli practices, arrogance and rejection of the resolutions of international legitimacy.

In a statement to reporters Dr. Baz hailed President Assad stances which have been based on a deep and pan-Arab vision which constitutes a hard basis for defending the Arab rights.

He underlined the importance of the Egyptian-Syrian coordination in the commitment to the restoration of all the occupied Arab territories in the Golan to the line of 4th of June 1967,and all the Palestinian territories including Jerusalem as well as the rest of the occupied Lebanese territories.

President Assad Arrived in Sharm Al-Sheikh

Sharm Al-Sheikh 16-5-2001

His Excellency President Bashar Assad arrived here Wednesday for talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak. President Mubarak received President Assad at Sharm Al-Sheikh Airport at 5:30 p.m. ( 2:30 G.M.T ).

 Information Minister Safwat Sharif said in a statement following the meeting that the summit between the two Presidents discussed the deteriorating situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and the outcome of the current communication among all the parties in this regard. Sharif stressed the importance of supporting the Palestinian people in their struggle to regain their legitimate rights .

 The two presidents agreed during successful and intensive talks to be another visit to continue the talks as well as to exchange visits between the officials in the two countries to reactivate these issues" Sharif added. 

Back

INTERVIEWS SPEECHES DOMESTIC ISSUESNATIONAL ISSUESINTERNATIONAL ISSUESNEWS & ANALYSESPICTURES      HOME