POLICY

President al-Assad Makes Phone Call with Qatari Prince,

22/5/ President Bashar al-Assad made a phone call with Qatari Prince Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani during which he evaluated the great efforts exerted by Qatar and members of the Arab Committee to achieve an agreement among the Lebanese parties to end the crisis in Lebanon.The phone call dealt with the brotherly bilateral relations and issues of common interest.

President al-Assad Receives Call from Bahraini King.

22/5/President al-Assad received a phone call from King of Bahrain Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa during which they welcomed the agreement achieved in Doha among the Lebanese parties, and its reflects on the Lebanese people and on peace and stability in the region. President al-Assad and King Hamad stressed the necessity to boost joint Arab action and reviewed the developments in the region and the brotherly relations between Syria and Bahrain.

President al-Assad meets African Union Commission Chairperson .

15/5 President Bashar al-Assad received Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping who congratulated His Excellency on presiding over the Arab Summit.

Talks during the meeting dealt with necessity of boosting the Arab-African cooperation and exchanging points of view regarding the role played by the African Union in enhancing the security and stability in the African continent.

 For his part, Mr. Ping underlined Syria's role in its capacity as head of the Arab Summit in helping to solve African issues, particularly in Somalia and Darfur Region. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Fayssal al-Mikdad attended the meeting.

In statements to reporters, Mr. Ping described his meeting with President al-Assad as "excellent", asserting the importance of his visit to Syria which is chairing the Arab Summit and playing an important role in the issues of the region and in boosting the Arab-African cooperation.

He pointed out that this visit, which came after his election as Chairperson of the African Union Commission, aims at exchanging opinions with the Syrian officials regarding several issues of common interest.

Mr. Ping renewed support of the African Union to the Arab issues , particularly the Palestinian cause, saying that "the African Union has always supported the Arab people in general and the Palestinian people in particular , especially at the international assemblies."

President al-Assad Decrees on Opening University Branches in Several Governorates

18/5/ President Bashar al-Assad issued the Decree No. 139 for 2008 on opening branches of Damascus, Tishreen, al-Baath and al-Forat Universities in the Governorates of Sweida, Dara'a, Edleb, Tartous, Hama, Hasaka and Raqqa.

The Decree states that a branch should be opened by a decision taken by the Minister of Higher Education on a recommendation by the Higher Education Council in case human and material resources are available.

Foreign Minister Moallem Arrives in Beirut

25/5 Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem arrived in Beirut to attend the Lebanese Parliament's special session to elect General Michel Suleiman as a President of the Republic.

Mr. Moallem was received at Beirut International Airport by Lebanese resigned Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.

Al-Moallem conveys a Letter From President al-Assad to Mbeki

18/5/ Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem arrived in Oliver Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on an official visit to the Republic of South Africa, conveying a letter from President Bashar al-Assad to President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.

Al-Moallem was received by South African senior officials and staff of the Syrian Embassy in Pretoria.

He will meet senior officials in the party and government of South Africa to discuss issues of mutual concern in addition to the standing bilateral relations and means of developing them in various fields.

Foreign Minister meets Ambassador in charge of France Initiative on Mediterranean Union

22/5/Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem discussed with Ambassador in charge of the French President Nicolas Sarkozy's Initiative for a Mediterranean Union preparations to convene the Union leaders' summit due next July in France.

During the meeting, Ambassador Le Roy referred to the significance of Syria's participation in this summit due to its important role in the region.

Both sides discussed the Syrian-French relations and means of enhancing them in all domains.

"My visit to Syria comes within a tour to the Mediterranean countries to make consultations on this project… Syria's point of view is very important on this project which would develop cooperation between Europe and regional countries," Le Roy said.

Al-Moallem receives phone call from Moratinos and Solana

22/5/Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem received a telephone call from Spain Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and the European Union's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana on the agreement reached by the Lebanese sides in Doha, Qatar.

During the phone call, Moratinos and Solana expressed appreciation of the constructive role played by Syria in this domain.

Talks also dealt with the beginning of indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel under the patronage of Turkey, expressing relief over efforts to resume negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track.

Al-Moallem and Chinese Counterpart in Talks

22/5/Foreign Minister Walid al-Maollem reviewed with Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Mr. Yang Jiechi bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and developments of the situation in the Middle East.

During the meeting on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum, al-Maollem offered condolences on the victims of the earthquake that hit Sichuan province in China, stressing Syria's support to the one-China and its continuous seek to consolidate the Syrian-Chinese relations towards a real partnership in several areas.

Minister al-Maollem emphasized the important role played by China in the international circles on its capacity as a permanent member at the UN Security Council to achieve balance in its decisions to confront some super powers in a way that returns confidence and credibility to the international organization, especially regarding issues of the region.

For his part, the Chinese Minister thanked Syria for its attitude and the moral and material assistance it provided, asserting his country's keenness to develop relations with Syria for its particular importance in the region.

Mr. Jiechi stressed China's support for achieving a just and comprehensive peace and resuming negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track, particularly that Syria is part of the peace process.

Earlier, The Ministerial Meeting of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum concluded deliberations in Manama by issuance a statement that highly appreciated what the two sides had achieved in the recent years. The statement supported Syria's efforts to restore the occupied Golan according to the United Nations Relevant resolutions and bases of the peace process that emerged from Madrid Conference in 1991.

It called Israel to respond to the Arab states' desire in achieving peace and conducting negotiations with the concerned Arab countries on the basis of the Arab initiative for ending the occupation of all occupied Arab territories since 1967 and supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The statement condemned all types of terrorism and rejected linking it with a people or a religion, underscoring the necessity of adhering to the United Nations Charter, and norms of the international law, commitment to the United Nations' main role and refusal of the double standards in combating terrorism.

Both sides agreed on the need to intensify visits and contacts between them and continue political consultation and emphasized China's support to the Arab countries' strategic choice to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East in accordance with United Nations Relevant resolutions and the land-for-peace principle.

In the area of strengthening development, the statement emphasized the need to expand mutual investments and enhancing cooperation in the infrastructure sector in addition to pushing cooperation in the other different domains forward in the interests of both sides.

Al-Ahmar condoles on victims of Sichuan province earthquake

19/5/Assistant Secretary General of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party Abdullah al-Ahmar on Monday offered, on behalf of the Party Leadership, condolences on the victims of the earthquake that hit Sichuan province in China and claimed the lives and injured ten thousands of people.

In a written latter at the Chinese Embassy in Damascus, al-Ahmar expressed heartfelt condolences on the victims of the natural disaster that hit China, voicing al-Baath Party's solidarity with the Chinese Communist Party and people to surmount the repercussions of this disaster.

He hailed China's exerted efforts in the rescue operations, asserting its capability to rebuild what the quake destroyed.

Syria and Iran discuss cooperation on defense and combating terrorism

25/5/Defense Minister, General Hasan Turkmani discussed with his Iranian counterpart Mostafa Mohammad Najjar means of boosting bilateral cooperation between Syria and Iran in all fields, particularly in combating terrorism and defense. 

"Visits and meetings between officials of the two countries continuously stress that the ties are developing," General Turkmani, also the Deputy General Commander of the Army said, describing bilateral relations as 'strategic.'

He added bilateral cooperation is permanent and firm "because it is based on common and strong principles."

"The consolidated relations between Syria and Iran have foiled and overcome threats which targeted resistance in the region, Turkmani said, pointing out to Syria's readiness for more cooperation in defense with Iran.

Iranian Defense Minister also described bilateral ties between both countries as 'very good and deep.'

"Ties which connect Syria and Iran are strategic, based on the national interests of the two countries and the Islamic world," Minister Najjar said.

"Iran's principled and firm policy is based on developing the comprehensive ties with Middle East countries to achieve stability and security in the region," he added.

General Turkmani who arrived in Tehran Saturday heading a high-ranking military delegation met Leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, General Mohammad Ali J'afari where talks dealt with the latest developments on the regional and international arenas.

ECONOMY

Syria completely settles its debts to Czech and Slovakia

18/5/Syria on completely settled  its debt files with each of Czech and Slovakia  republics by signing a tripartite agreement including Syria to pay $ one million to each of the two countries.

Syria and Czech also signed an agreement to avoid double taxation.

"The agreement finally ends the accounts which were suspended among the three countries, and this will be positively reflected on the economic ties between Syria and each of Czech and Slovakia," Finance Minister Mohammad al-Hussein said in a statement following the signing ceremony with Czech Finance Minister  Miroslav Kalousek  and Slovak top official Peter Kazemeir. 

Kalousek, for his part, said the agreement which avoids double taxation between Syria and Czech will form a legal framework for bilateral trade ties and will pave way for a promising future of cooperation as well as it is a clear indication to the development of relations with Syria, the most important friendly country among the Arab states.

VARIETY

Customs foil attempt to smuggle 40 archeological pieces from Iraq

22/5/Syrian Customs General Directorate has foiled an attempt to smuggle archeological pieces stolen from the National Museum in Iraq through transiting them into Syria as an introduction to moving them abroad.

Director General of the Customs Directorate Nabil al-Syouri said Wednesday in a statement to SANA that 40 archeological antiques have been confiscated at al-Tanf Customs Checkpoint on the Syrian-Iraqi borders inside a bag in an Iraqi car while it was about to enter Syria.

He added that the stolen items included glass, pottery, brassware and textile pieces of different sizes.

It is the third time an attempt to smuggle Iraqi ruins was foiled in less than two months.

The Syrian Ministry of Culture last month returned back to Iraq 751 archaeological smuggled pieces after they were seized inside Syria.

Iraq has been under organized looting of its human and civilized heritage since the US occupation in 2003.

Palestinian Flag, Designed to Be World Biggest, on Display in Damascus

22/5/ The Coordinating Committee for Biggest Flag in the World finished its and is now leveling the ground on which the Palestinian flag will be displayed on Friday under the slogan "Biggest Flag for Dearest Nation".

In a press conference, the Committee, consisted of Syrian and Palestinian activists, said the area of the flag will be more than 27,000 square meters.

Member of the Committee Farhan Matar said the initiative was inspired by Syrian and Palestinian activists on the 60th anniversary of the occupation of Palestine (Nakba), asserting that the project was funded by popular work, volunteers and donations.

The flag weighs 7 tons. Its length is 232 meters and 116 meters in width.

Rare Bird Sighted in Syria

18/5/ A team from the Palmyra Association for Environment and Wildlife Preservation has recently sighted the Namaqua Dove, a rare bird seen for the first time in Syria.

Deputy Chairman of the Association Adib al-Asaad said the discovery of the Namaqua Dove, a long-tailed type of pigeon, was spotted at the Palmyra Oasis, which is an important location for endangered species of birds.

A team of experts from the Association monitored and watched this type of birds for a long time and photographed them, and confirmed after corresponding with a British organization for birds in the Middle East that this is the first sighting of the birds in Syria.

The Namaqua Dove has a long tail and is small in size. It feeds on grains and lives in grassy plains, where it moves among trees and hides in them. It migrates to Syria in the spring and leaves to Africa and Arab Gulf countries after the mating season.

Syrian Student Attempts to Enter Guinness Book of Records with the World's Smallest Satellite

Syrian student at the Mechanical Engineering Department at Tishreen University Ali Jihad Fares is attempting to register his invention of the world's smallest satellite in the Guinness Book of Records.

In a lecture at Tishreen University, Fares said the 'Satellite A11' took him 15 months to complete with the help of his colleagues and professors.

The Satellite is 3 cm wide, 3 cm long, and 10 cm high, and can circle the Earth in 90 minutes in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a speed of 3,600 kilometers per hour. The parallelogram-shaped satellite is programmed to light up in the shape of a Christmas tree once every New Year's Eve.

The invention was recorded in the Invention and Intellectual Property Department at Guinness Records in 2008. Agreements were also signed with several Japanese and Chinese companies to provide technical assistance in line with the Syrian laws.