Syrian, German FMs talk over phone on Lebanon

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Muallem held a telephone talk on Tuesday with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on situation in Lebanon in light of UN resolution 1701, the official SANA news agency reported.

The conversation came two weeks after Steinmeier cancelled a scheduled visit to Damascus at short notice.

"The two sides agreed to keep up dialogue and mutual contacts, considering the constructive role Syria plays in stabilizing the region," SANA said.

They also agreed to gear efforts for establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, it added.

Steinmeier was due here on Aug. 15, but he cancelled his trip shortly after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad blamed Israel in a speech on the same day for its "planned aggression" against Lebanon and the Bush administration for "the failure of the Middle East peace process".

Steinmeier described Assad's comments as a "negative contribution" and cancelled his trip, during which he was expected to meet Assad and al-Muallem.

Source: Xinhua