Syrian Arab News Agency

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
Syrian Prime Minister Riad Hijab (L) is sworn-in during a ceremony in front of President Bashar al-Assad (R)
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad
UN officials tour the town of al-Haffe earlier this month before the mission was suspended
UN officials tour the town of al-Haffe earlier this month before the mission was suspended
Syrian government troops carry the coffin of a comrade killed in the ongoing fighting
A SANA photo shows Syrian government troops carrying the coffin of a comrade killed in the ongoing fighting
The Daily Telegraph said Bashar al-Assad could be offered safe passage to take part in talks in Switzerland
The Daily Telegraph said Assad could be offered safe passage to take part in talks in Switzerland.
UN observers visited Al-Haffe a day after Syrian authorities said the area had been "cleansed" of rebel fighters
UN observers visited Al-Haffe a day after Syrian authorities said the area had been "cleansed" of rebel fighters
UN observers visited Al-Haffe a day after Syrian authorities said the area had been "cleansed" of rebel fighters
UN observers visited Al-Haffe a day after Syrian authorities said the area had been "cleansed" of rebel fighters
UN observers visited Al-Haffe a day after Syrian authorities said the area had been "cleansed" of rebel fighters
A Syrian youth inspects the site of a car bomb in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb of Damascus
Syrian soldiers inspecting the site of a car bomb in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb of Damascus
A Syrian youth inspects the site of a car bomb in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb of Damascus
Syrian soldiers inspecting the site of a car bomb in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb of Damascus

Chinese envoy urges end to violence in Syria

A senior Chinese envoy called for all sides in Syria to stop the violence and for elections to go ahead peacefully after Damascus talks with President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday, state media said.
 

Chinese envoy says all Syrians must end violence

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun called on all sides in Syria to stop the violence and elections to go ahead peacefully after Damascus talks with President Bashar al-Assad Saturday, state media said.
 

Chinese envoy says Syrian sovereignty must be respected

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said the international community must respect Syria's sovereignty after Damascus talks late on Friday with his counterpart Faisal Meqdad, state media reported.
 

Syria's Assad, Shiite leader call for Iraq unity govt

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a joint call on Tuesday with visiting Iraqi Shiite leader Ammar al-Hakim for a national unity government to be formed in Iraq.
 

Iraq's Allawi asks Syria to press Iran not to meddle

Former Iraqi premier Iyad Allawi said he had asked Syria on Wednesday to persuade Iran to keep out of his protracted battle for the premiership with incumbent Nuri al-Maliki.
 

Iraq presidential hopeful in talks with Syrian leader

Former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi, who is vying to return to the premiership, held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday about his country's protracted coalition talks, official media said.
 

Lebanon's Hariri urges closer ties with Syria

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called for closer ties with Syria on Sunday, state media said, as he made his third visit since taking office to a country he once accused of being behind his father's assassination.
 

Syria, Arab League slam West Bank 'ethnic cleansing'

Syria and the Arab League on Monday denounced a new Israeli military policy that could see tens of thousands of people living in the occupied West Bank without permits deported or charged.
 

Iraq says it wants better Syrian ties

Iraq's vice president said in Damascus on Tuesday that his country wanted to improve relations with its neighbour, which soured following last year's massive bomb attacks in Baghdad.
 

Saudi king visits Syria as relations improve

Saudi King Abdullah began a two-day visit to Syria on Wednesday, his first since acceding to the throne in 2005, in a further sign of warming ties between the two Arab states.
 

US envoy reaches Cairo on whirlwind Mideast tour

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell reached Egypt on the latest leg of a whirlwind regional tour after stops in Israel and Syria earlier on Sunday, as Washington bids to jumpstart stalled peace talks.
 

US envoy in Israel after 'candid' talks in Syria

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell held talks in Israel on Sunday after having a "candid and positive" discussion with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad amid a diplomatic push by Washington to jumpstart stalled peace talks.
 

US envoy holds Syria talks amid new peace push

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell held "candid and positive" talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday before arriving in Israel amid a flurry of diplomacy by Washington aimed at pushing forward the stalled peace process.
 

US envoy holds Syria talks amid new peace push

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell said he had "candid and positive" talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday as Washington began a flurry of diplomacy in the region aimed at pushing foward the peace process.
 

Palestinians, Syria share concerns about new Israel PM

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad voiced common concerns on Saturday about the policies of the new right-leaning Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, official media reported.
 

Carter in Syria talks ahead of US envoy visit

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