From correspondents in Delhi, India, 01:31 PM IST

Syria wants India to play a big role in the Middle East peace process because it has credibility with all parties, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said here Thursday.

'We want India to play a big role in the Middle East peace process because it has credibility,' the Syrian president told reporters during his five-day state visit to India.

'India has good relations with both the US and Israel and anyone who wants to play a role has to have that credibility. India has that credibility because of its traditional support for the Arab cause as well as good relations with Israel,' he added.

Syria, which is now in the chair of the Arab League, strongly supports New Delhi's candidature for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, al-Assad said, adding that the stature provided by such a position would also help India play a big role in the Middle East peace process.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)