The Syrian News Agency reported on Monday that the Syrian president,
Bashar Asad, met in Damascus with the Palestinian Prime Minister from
the Hamas movement, Ismail Haniyya, and discussed with him the latest
developments in the Palestinian territories, and the efforts to form a
National Unity Government.
Asad said that Syria “fully supports the Palestinian people, their struggle to establish an independent state, and the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees.
Haniyya arrived in Syria on Sunday for a four-day visit, and met with the Syrian Vice-President, Farouq Al Share' earlier on Monday. Haniyya also met on Sunday with the Syrian Prime Minster, Mohammad Otari.
Om Tuesday, Haniyya plans to meet with leaders of Palestinian factions based in Syria and is expected to hold talks with them on the efforts to form a national unity government.
Haniyya made his way to Syria after visiting Bahrain and holding talks with the Bahrain King, Sheikh Mohammad Bun Ali Al Khalifa.
Palestinian sources said that the meeting with Al Khalifa achieved political and economic support from Bahrain to the Palestinian people.
Haniyya and his delegation are also expected to meet with the Hamas political bureau chief in Syria, Khaled Mashal.
On Monday evening, Haniyya is expected to deliver a speech in Al Yarmouk refugee camp, south of Damascus.
