Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad met Friday with Mauritania’s Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf who carried a letter from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz,

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad met Friday with Mauritania's Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf who carried a letter from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Syrian News Agency SANA reported.

The two parts discussed the Syrian situation as the Mauritanian Prime Minister “highlighted the gravity of targeting Syria,” and considered that “Syria's stability is essential for the security and stability of the Arab countries and the region.”

Moreover, Laghdaf considered that “the aim behind what is taking place is fragmenting Syria and undermining its historical and leading role in the region,” and presented his country’s views on ways to end the conflict in Syria.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Meets Syrian Counterpart

In this context, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun met late Friday with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Al-Moqdad and assured that the international community must respect Syria's sovereignty.

After the meeting that took place in Damascus, Zhai said that “we exchanged views on ways to strengthen our cooperation in the face of this difficult period in Syria.”

“The sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected by all sides and by the international community," he added, pointing out that “China hopes that national dialogue and reforms will move forward in Syria.”

The Chinese official further said that “we urge the Syrian government and all of its political parties to immediately and fully end all acts of violence and quickly restore stability and normal social order.”

He stated that “China condemns all acts of violence against innocent civilians… and does not approve armed intervention or forcing so-called regime change.”