by Xinhua writer Liu Yuehua

    DAMASCUS, July 12, (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assadheld talks with visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner here on Sunday to discuss a wide range of issues on enhancing bilateral ties.

    A statement issued by the Syrian presidential office said that the two sides discussed issues on the situation in Lebanon and Iraq, as well as the Arab-Israeli conflict.

    Both Damascus and Paris has agreed on solving Middle East issues through dialogues under the current positive atmosphere turning up in the region, the statement was quoted by the official Syria Arab News Agency (SANA) as reporting.

    The two sides also agreed that opposing parties in Lebanon should speed up dialogues to realize a nationwide reconciliation and create a national unity government.

    The French Foreign Minister Kouchner, who arrived in Syria for two-day official visit, expressed his satisfaction over bilateral relation developments, hailing that the two countries has regained "relations of trust."

    In an interview with the Syrian daily al-Watan published on Sunday, Kouchner said his visit came within the framework of regular consultations between the two countries.

    He also expressed that this visit is a good opportunity to evaluate the bilateral relations. He told local media that the French Agency for Development will open an office in Damascus, adding that his country will work for lifting sanctions imposed on Syria.

    Meanwhile, Kouchner noted that the French president was satisfied with the improvement of Syrian-French relations and will continue efforts to boost such ties.

    The Syrian-French relations started to improve following a visit by the Syrian President al-Assad to France in July 2008 and the twice visits by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Damascus in January and September 2008.

    During Kouchner's visit in Damascus, he also met with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem, Kouchner said that France has not changed its stance on establishing a Palestinian state, although the U.S. government has adopted new policy on Middle East peace process.

    For his part, Moallem stressed that Syria has not changed its stance on Israel's withdraw from occupied Golan Heights.

    "Syria will not attend any international peace conference on Mideast without enough preparations" said Moallem.

    The Syrian foreign minister pointed out that any failure on international Middle East peace conference will severely threaten the stability of the region.

    Asked about the relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, Moallem denied "reconciliation" between the two countries. "We have good relations," he said.

    Last week, Saudi Arabia announced that if the United States decided to return an ambassador to Syria, the country will follow suit, a strong sign yet of the solidifying reconciliation between the two rival Arab nations.

    Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia soured after the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a close Saudi ally. Syria was widely blamed for his death, but denies any involvement.

    In 2008, Saudi subsequently transferred its ambassador from Syria to Qatar, leaving the post vacant.

    Kouchner also revealed the news he acknowledged that U.S. President Barack Obama is thinking about Syrian President Assad's invitation to visit Syria.

    In an interview broadcasting Sunday, President Obama was asked by Britain's Sky News television if he would accept an invitation to go to Damascus for face-to-face talks with Syrian President.

    "We've started to see some diplomatic contacts between the United States and Syria," Obama said, "There are aspects of Syrian behavior that trouble us and we think that there is a way that Syria can be much more constructive on a whole host of these issues."

    "But, as you know, I'm a believer in engagement and my hope is that we can continue to see progress on that front," Obama told Sky.

    Earlier July, President Assad expressed his will to meet President Obama in Syria to discuss Middle East issues.

    "If Sky's news is true, it is encouraging. It means that American is changing its policies. We would like to welcome his visit." commenting Moallem.