Al-Assad is trying to reconcile Palestinian factions with Abbas [AFP]

Al-Assad discussed the Middle East peace process and efforts to reconcile Palestinian factions with Abbas, an aide said on Sunday.

Abbas, head of the Fatah faction, described the talks as "excellent".

Upon arrival in Syria from neighbouring Jordan, Abbas had said he would discuss "negotiations with Israel, the truce [between Israel and Hamas] and the Palestinian initiative for national unity," SANA reported.

Last month, Abbas called for talks with rivals Hamas, breaking with his previous position that Hamas must relinquish power in Gaza before any negotiations can take place.

Syria backs Hamas but has promised to help push for dialogue between the two sides.

Syrian diplomacy

There were expectations that Abbas was going to meet Meshaal during this visit, however, according to Nabeel Abu Rudeina, the spokesman for the Palestinian presidency, Abbas' agenda does not include meetings with representatives from the Palestinian factions.

"There are no arrangements for any such meeting with Hamas leaders or others," Abu Rudeina told reporters in Jordan on Saturday. A Hamas official denounced the decision.

"The refusal of Abbas to meet with Hamas shows that he is complying with the US policies that rejects [inter-Palestinian] dialogue," the official told AFP.

"We are surprised by this position particularly since last month Abbas launched his initiative [for talks] and Hamas accepted it."

Vall reported that Syria has been stepping up its diplomacy in the region.

"Syria is trying to project a new image, showing that Syria is not only a troublemaker as it is seen in the West, but also a peacebroker and a peacemaker," he said.

"Syria simply wants to tell the West and the Arab world that it is trying to play a new role in the Middle East."

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