Assad leads closed-door Arab summit

DAMASCUS, Syria, March 29 (UPI) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad led a closed-door session Saturday at the Arab summit in Syria aimed at burnishing relations in the Arab community.

The 20th summit conference in Damascus is focusing on improved Arab-Arab relations and the ongoing political dispute in Lebanon, KUNA reported.

Arab leaders want to foster increased cooperation among Lebanese officials and move toward the election of a new president of compromise, the Kuwaiti news agency said.

Arab Secretary-General Amr Moussa has already met with Arab foreign ministers regarding regional relationships, which he called "thorny."

Of particular interest to summit leaders is the consolidation of the numerous viewpoints in the Arab world regarding what specific issues and problems they face.

KUNA said Syria is dedicated to promoting Arab solidarity during the Damascus talks.