DATE=09/30/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-294673

TITLE=SYRIA/EGYPT (S)

BYLINE=GREG LaMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have issued a statement calling for the return of U-N weapons inspectors to Iraq. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte reports the leaders met in Cairo.

TEXT: In what was described as a working lunch, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak discussed the threat of a U-S led attack on Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

Egyptian government sources said the talks primarily centered on how Syria and Egypt can work together in an effort to avert a military strike against Baghdad.

The two men issued a joint statement urging a "quick resumption" of U-N weapons inspections to check on Baghdad's weapons of mass destruction.

Syria and Egypt oppose an attack against Baghdad, although Egypt and Saudi Arabia have said they would support such an attack if the U-N Security Council approves it.

Syrian officials have said they would support Iraq if it is attacked by the United States, but they have never said what kind of support Syria would or could provide.

A Syrian foreign ministry spokesman said Mr. Assad's three-hour meeting with President Mubarak was intended to invigorate Arab solidarity, especially among Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/KL/RAE