Damascus, (SANA) –President Bashar al-Assad received on Sunday a letter from President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan on the bilateral relation between the two sisterly countries and the latest developments on the Sudanese arena in general and in Darfur in particular.

The letter was conveyed by Sudanese President's Special Envoy and Minister of Industry Galal Yyosif al-Degair.

During the meeting, President al-Assad reiterated Syria's stance in support of the Sudanese government regarding Darfur issue, affirming Syria's readiness to exert all efforts to find the optimum solution to this issue.

President al-Assad stressed Syria's commitment to the unity and stability of Sudan in the face of attempts for dividing it.

For his part, Minister al-Degair expressed his country's appreciation of Syria's stances in support of the Sudanese people, affirming the Sudanese government's faith in the usefulness of Syria's actions as President of the Arab Summit in solving Darfur issue.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and the Sudanese Ambassador in Damascus.

In a statement to SANA following the meeting, the Sudanese Minister described his talks with President al-Assad as positive and useful.

Minister al-Degair pointed out that the letter he delivered from President al-Bashir to President al-Assad was on the latest developments in Sudan in general and Darfur in particular, including a summary of deliberations of the People of Sudan Assembly and the solutions and recommendations it reached, in addition to the developments between Sudan and the Republic of Chad.

He added that President al-Assad reaffirmed Syria's support to the Sudanese stance regarding the Darfur issue and Syria's readiness as the President of the Arab Summit to take a pivotal role with Qatar and find a final solution to Darfur issue.

Minister al-Degair expressed hope for reaching an agreement sponsored by Qatar, the African Union and the Arab League within the upcoming months.

Earlier, President al-Assad affirmed during a speech at the Arab Transitional Parliament in Damascus Syria's support to Sudan and the Sudanese government's efforts for ending the human suffering in Darfur within the framework of Sudan's national unity.

President al-Assad had received a letter from President al-Bashir last July during his meeting with the Sudanese President's Advisor Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani. The letter discussed the developments regarding the accusations made by the International Criminal Court against Sudan and its leadership.

Ghossoun / H. Sabbagh / Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA