President Bashar al-Assad described the general atmosphere in the region as positive, calling for constantly giving momentum to the underway positive course of action and activating the European role, particularly regarding the peace process.

Meeting Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store Monday morning, President al-Assad said it is very important to restore the Palestinian national unity as it is difficult to achieve any positive progress without the restoration of the national unity among sons of the same people.

As for Lebanon, President al-Assad pointed out to the importance of carrying out Doha Agreement as a whole among the Lebanese and forming a national unity government as soon as possible.

On Iraq, His Excellency reiterated Syria's support to the underway political process in the country, indicating that this process should encompass all walks of life and coincide with a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from there.

President al-Assad also called for practical and concrete steps to boost up the relations between Syria and the European countries in all fields.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Gahr Store praised Syria's positive role and efforts in finding solutions to the Middle East issues.

Mr. Gahr Store also voiced his country's support to the indirect negotiations between Syria and Israel under Turkish mediation.

President al-Assad and the Norwegian Minister also discussed the relations between Syria and the European countries.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, his Assistant Abdul Fattah Ammoura, the Norwegian Ambassador in Damascus and the delegation accompanying the Norwegian Foreign Minister.

Later, Minister al-Moallem met his Norwegian counterpart and the accompanying delegation in the presence of Mr. Ammoura, Directors of Foreign Information, Europe and Special Bureaus Departments at the Syrian Foreign Ministry .