Damascus, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, received on Monday a copy of the credentials of non-resident Ambassador, Kapila Jayaweera, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Syrian Arab Republic. Jayaweera expressed his pleasure at visiting Syria and being appointed as a non-resident ambassador. He affirmed readiness to work to strengthen bilateral relations at the economic and popular level between the two countries and continue cooperation in the international arena. Mikdad referred to the distinguished friendly relations that bind the two friendly countries and their cooperation at all levels within the United Nations and various regional organizations. Mikdad indicated that the two countries share viewpoints on interpreting the situation in the international arena. Both sides also discussed the escalating developments in the Occupied Palestinian territory and the necessity to stop the Israeli attacks on the Palestin ians in Gaza and the West Bank in addition to standing against attempts to displace the Palestinians abroad their homeland and working to deliver humanitarian aid to the them without restrictions or conditions. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency