Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Thursday that his country was and is still clear in its position and committed to the option of peace that "will return the land to their owners and the legitimate rights to the Palestinian people." Thse comments came when President al-Assad met former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
According to SANA news agency, al-Assad and Carter discussed the current situation in the Middle East and ways of activating the stalled peace process.
For his part, Carter voiced his hope to see an improvement in the Syrian-US relations under the administration of President Barack Obama. Carter conveyed Obama wishes to pursue a new policy with all countries of the region dominated by dialogue and mutual respect.
Carter also pointed out that Syria is an important player in the region, and that he believed that the U.S. administration is willing to develop this relation. He stressed that the current Israeli government has to stop settlement and adopt the bases of peace.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
