Syrian President Bashar al-Assad received on Saturday leaders of some Palestinian groups present in Syria and discussed the developments of the Palestinian issue, the official SANA news agency reported.

During the meeting, Assad called on the Palestinian factions' leaders to give utmost care to the unity of the Palestinian ranks, SANA said.

Assad also praised the efforts of the Palestinian groups to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, it added.

For their part, the leaders of the Palestinian groups expressed appreciation over Syria's support to the Palestinian cause while stressing their determination to regain their rights, particularly the right to return to their homeland. But SANA did not disclose the names of the Palestinian factions'leaders.

Source: Xinhua