Damascus, May 14, SPA --Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad today during his one-dayvisit to Damascus, according to dpa. Abbas and al-Assad discussed the current situation in thePalestinian territories, including reconciliation talks between thedifferent Palestinian factions. Other topics included the peaceprocess and regional issues. Al-Assad indicated that achieving reconciliation between allPalestinian factions is the main basis for reaching peace. Egyptian-brokered talks on forming a national unity government arescheduled to enter their fifth round in Cairo on May 16. Abbas is expected to travel to Washington to meet US PresidentBarak Obama, who will also receive Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak before the end of the month. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/664361