Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Muallem said on Saturday that Damascus encourages dialogue among Palestinian factions and backs a national unity government in the territories.

Muallem made the remarks while meeting with visiting Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s political department chairman Farouk al-Qaddoumi, the official SANA news agency reported.

During the meeting, Qaddoumi stressed the importance of a continuous Arab support to the Palestinian cause for achieving the Palestinian people's legitimate aspirations to end the occupation, guarantee their right to return and establish an independent state, SANA said.

Qaddoumi arrived here Friday evening for a two-day visit to Syria. He is also expected to meet with leaders of Palestinian groups in Syria during his stay.

Talks over forming a Palestinian coalition government aimed at lifting an international boycott on the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas)-led government have stalled as the group has repeatedly refused to recognize Israel.

Source: Xinhua