Jeddah, August 17, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has applauded the announcement made by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman to establish diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. In a press statement issued here yesterday, The Secretary General pointed out that this crucial step will support the development of relations between the two countries. He expressed his satisfaction over the agreement of both presidents to form joint committees to discuss the demarcation of borders and other pending issues as well as setting into motion mechanisms slated to boost bilateral relations to the benefit of their countries. Prof. Ihsanoglu lauded the meeting held between the two presidents to discuss and resolve various issues between the two countries. He stated that such discussions will contribute to paving the way to resolve all issues that have hitherto impeded the development of relations between Syria and Lebanon and the consolidation of confidence between the two countries. --MORE www.spa.gov.sa/582681