Syrian President Bashar Assad told visiting Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas Sunday that unity between rival Hamas and Fatah parties is the "only guarantee" for the PA to improve its position in negotiating with Israel for a new Arab state within Israel's current borders. Khaled Mashaal, the leader of Hamas, is based in Syria.

 

"Syria will spare no efforts to support the Palestinians till reaching the establishment of their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital," Assad stated. He and Abbas also discussed indirect talks that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Assad have initiated.