Damascus, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad  on Wednesday reiterated Syria's stance towards peace, based on implementing international legitimacy resolutions that call for the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab lands in 1967 and restoring the Arab rights.

During his meeting with Iceland Minister of Foreign Affairs Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir, President al-Assad discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and the importance of bolstering them.

He also affirmed the need for Palestinian national unity so that the Palestinians can establish their independent state, underlining Syria's efforts in that regard.

Talks dealt with the importance of Arab-European dialogue that realizes a better European understanding of the region's problems and finds suitable solutions to them.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Assistant Foreign Minister Abdulfattah Ammoura, and the delegation accompanying Minister Gisladottir.

Later, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem resumed talks with Minister Gisladottir and the accompanying delegation in the presence of Assistant Foreign Minister Ammoura and Director of the Department of Special Bureaus at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement to SANA, Minister Gisladottir described her meeting with President al-Assad as "productive and very good," adding that talks focused on bilateral relations, the regional situation and the peace process.

She pointed out that the goal of her visit to Syria is to witness firsthand the situation in the region since her country is nominated for membership in the Security Council in 2009-2010, saying "we appreciate Syria's support for Iceland in this regard."

H. Sabbagh / Mazen