http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=13443421&PageNum=0 *Russian, Syrian presidents discuss situation in Middle East*
*MOSCOW*, January 3 (Itar-Tass) - In a telephone conversation on Saturday, *Russian President Dmitry Medvedev* and *Syrian President Bashar al-Assad* exchanged New Year greetings to the Russian and Syrian peoples and focused on an aggravation of the situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin press service reported. The telephone conversation was initiated by Syria. The Russian and Syrian leaders expressed serious concern in connection with the developments in Gaza Strip. They noted that the continuing use of force has already resulted in a big number of casualties among civilians. This tragic list keeps growing. The humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip also triggers concern. In this connection, the sides stressed a need to stop the bloodshed as soon as possible. Medvedev and Assad expressed a bid to continue contacts and consultations at different levels with an aim to contribute to international efforts aimed at cessation of hostilities and a general normalization of the situation in the Middle East. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
