The Syrian capital of Damascus received in the past couple of days a number of high-level political players in the Middle East in a hope to improve the country's image as a political heavyweight country in the region.

On Saturday, Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr arrived in Damascus for talks on the formation of a new government in Iraq. Two days later, he was followed by leader of Iraqi National Movement Ayad Allawi, one of two candidates vying for the post of the country's prime minister.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday confirmed his country's full support for the prompt formation of an Iraqi national unity government.

A Monday's meeting between al-Sadr and Allawi resulted in a joint agreement to speed up the process of forging the Iraqi government based on a clear national agenda which can restore security and stability.

"The upcoming period will witness good results that serve the Iraqi interest," the Shiite leader said following the meeting.

Damascus also hosted on Sunday Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri who conferred with Assad over the political, security and economic relations between Syria and Lebanon.

"Hariri's visit to Syria forges a strong base for the relations between the two countries," said Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem.

The recent Syrian-Lebanese detente ended about five years of bitterness between the two neighbors as Beirut accused Damascus of being behind the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut, which was denied by Syria.

The meetings were not only limited to Arab sides. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also arrived in Damascus on Monday and held talks with Assad on regional issues and bilateral relations.

Also on Monday, a three-way meeting brought together Assad, Davutoglu and Hariri, during which they discussed the developments in the Palestinian territories and efforts to lift the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.

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