Syria supports India on UN seat, terrorism

Syria today came out in full support for New Delhi's quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council to make it a "more democratic, representative and efficient" body and backed India's fight against terrorism.

President Bashar al-Assad told his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil, the first Indian head of state to visit this West Asian country, that Damascus is all for reforming the world body.

"And on the 2nd anniversary of the terrorist Mumbai bombings, marked yesterday, we renew our support to India in fighting terrorism and in order to make the world more safe and stable," he said after delegation level talks with his Indian counterpart.

The two leaders held "very constructive" talks after ceremonial welcome was accorded to Patil by her Syrian counterpart and his wife Asma al-Assad at the People's Palace.

A highlight of the deliberations was Patil's announcement about extending $100 million line of credit to Syria to be used by Damascus in sectors to be mutually agreed upon, keeping in view its priorities.

"One of the main reasons for (the bilateral) economic engagement not having reached the potential is the lack of awareness of each others' requirements and capabilities", she said in the backdrop of the fact that the bilateral trade has only been a mere $500 million.