DELEGATION OF SYRIAN PEOPLE'S COUNCIL TO VISIT RUSSIA

MOSCOW, April 3, 2004. (RIA Novosti correspondent Maria Balynina). A group of Syrian People's Council friendship with the Russian Federal Assembly will pay a routine visit to Russia from April 3 to 8, the press service of the Russian Federation Council told RIA Novosti.

Deputy chairman of the national security committee of the Syrian parliament Atef Naddaf heads the delegation.

The delegates are expected to meet with Federation Council Vice Speaker Alexander Torshin, head of the Rodina faction in the State Duma Dmitry Rogozin and first deputy chairman of the State Duma international committee Yuly Kvitsinsky.

On April 5 the Syrian delegates are scheduled to meet with Chairman of the Council of Russia's Muftis Ravil Gainutdin.

On April 8 the delegates will attend the Russian Foreign Ministry and the mission of the Saratov region in Moscow.

In addition, the Syrian guests are to visit the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius Lavra (monastery) and the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Hill.