Walid al- Muallem has called on Palestinian groups to return to dialogue.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has called on the Palestinian groups to come to the negotiating table to end the current crisis.

Meeting with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister's Special Envoy for the Middle East, Svein Sevje, on Monday, Muallem reiterated the call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.

The two officials talked over the recent Middle East developments, discussing the endeavors to restore the peace process in an attempt to reach a comprehensive settlement for the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Syria's interest in establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and preserving the unity of the Palestinian people were also underscored by the Syrian Foreign Minister.

Having declared his country's eagerness in re-establishing the peace process in line with international laws, Sevje pointed out that Norway is supports the Arab peace initiative.

"Syria plays an important role in achieving security and peace in the Middle East," the envoy stated.

The Arab peace initiative would require Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Golan Heights and their return to Syria.

The initiative, initially published on March 28, 2002 in Beirut summit, was first approved in 2002 and reactivated during an Arab summit in Riyadh in March 2007.

Source: Xinhua