Ammon News -

DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar Al Assad on Sunday received a verbal message from His Majesty King Abdullah II on Jordanian-Syrian ties, current peace efforts and ways to enhance joint Arab action. Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh conveyed the message at a meeting with the Syrian leader in Damascus, in which the King expressed his keenness to enhance cooperation between the two countries "to serve the common interests of the two countries and peoples." The minister briefed the Syrian leader on contacts and meetings the King had recently in a bid to remove obstacles to finding a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, the crux of which is the Palestinian issue, and creating an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. During the meeting, attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al Muallem, Judeh highlighted the king's relentless endeavors to bring about a just and comprehensive peace in the region that restores all occupied Arab lands including the Golan Heights and Lebanese territory still occupied by Israel. The Syrian leader asked Judeh to convey his greetings to the King and said he looked forward to furthering cooperation and coordination on various regional and international issues. *Petra