Arab League team holds 'frank' talks with Assad 

(MENAFN - Gulf Times) An Arab League team yesterday held "frank" talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a bid to mediate with the opposition, as activists said at least 19 people were killed in violence.

"The meeting with President Assad was frank and friendly and we are going to continue our talks on October 30," said Qatar's Premier and Foreign Minister, HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani.

"We took note of the commitment of the Syrian government to work with the Arab committee to reach a solution."

Headed by Qatar, the League's current chair, the delegation comprised the foreign ministers of Algeria, Egypt, Oman and Sudan, in addition to
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.

The discussions touched on all the topics included in the Arab initiative on Syria, in positive and candid manner, he said.

Some points had been agreed while others needed to be studied by both sides, he said.

"We are interested in stopping the fighting in Syria and halting violence from any party," he said.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim underlined the importance of dialogue with the "Syrian brethren and reaching at results that serve the desire of the Syrian people for reform which is now required for solving the crisis," Qatar News Agency said.

He noted that some Arab countries had undergone changes whereas some others were still in the process which might continue, calling for substantive reforms.