Egyptian and Syrian leaders criticise Israel

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and his Syrian counterpart, Hafez al-Assad, have discussed Middle-eastern issues during unscheduled talks in Damascus.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, President Hassad said the Israelis were killing the peace process, while the Arabs remained committed to it.

Mr Mubarak, for his part, condemned recent joint manoeuvres by the Israeli and Turkish navies, saying such cooperation clearly targetted Syria.

The two leaders consult regularly on the peace process and other regional issues.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service