DAMASCUS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday in Damascus affirmed Syria's support for Lebanon in forming a national unity government, saying such a government would bring the situation in Lebanon back to normal after years of turmoil and division.

    President Assad made the remarks in a joint press conference with the visiting Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland, who is paying a three-day official visit in Syria.

    Halonen, described the bilateral relations with Syria as good and should become closer and more dynamic and interactive.

    On the peace process, Finnish president expressed her deep concern on the violence in the region, especially in Gaza, which "put human rights at risk."

    "It is natural the land-for-peace principle is the only means to achieve peace," said President al-Assad, adding that occupation and peace can never coexist in the same place and at the same state.

    The Syrian president also voiced his concern on Iranian nuclear issue, saying that the mass destruction weapon should not be existed in the Mideast region. "Syria is willing to provide some help to solve the problem," he noted.

    Halonen's visit comes when Syria is improving its relationship with the European Union, with which Syria is going to sign an association agreement. Syria has not given the EU, though, an answer about the date to sign the agreement.