Damascus: In a clear endorsement of Indian position, Syria strongly favoured resolution of Indo-Pak problems through dialogue based on Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration and backed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative as the two countries condemned all acts of terrorism.

The significant backing of Syria, a member of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), came in a joint statement issued at the end of his three-day visit during which Vajpayee held "highly successful" talks with Syrian President Basher al Assad.

The visit also helped Vajpayee and Assad, 40 years younger to the Indian leader, to strike a rapport. Reflective of the warmth in the ties, Assad drove to the hotel where Vajpayee was staying to see him off before he took off for a sight-seeing trip outside Damascus.

Like on his arrival on Friday (Nov 14), the Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri and all his Cabinet colleagues saw Vajpayee off at the airport in a break from protocol.

PTI