Syrian president backs Saudi peace proposal

Syrian President Bashar Assad has declared his support for the Saudi-proposed peace plan to end the Middle East conflict.

The official Saudi Press Agency did not quote President Assad, but it marks the first indication given by the Syrian leader for the peace plan floated recently by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah.

The proposal reportedly offers Israel peace, trade and security with the Arab world in return for Israeli withdrawal from Arab territories it seized during the 1967 Middle East war, including the strategic Golan Heights.

The official quoted by the agency said: "Assad expressed his country's support to the (plan's) visions for a comprehensive and just solution for the conflict in the region."

Other Arab and Western leaders have shown keen interest in the Saudi proposal as a way to end 17 months of Israeli-Palestinian violence, but Israeli leaders have already rejected the prospect of any withdrawal to pre-1967 lines.

An Arab summit scheduled for later this month in Lebanon is expected to discuss Prince Abdullah's plan.

President Assad also discussed with Prince Abdullah his initiative, the regional situation and bilateral relations, the agency reported.