Pyongyang, August 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, sent a reply message to Bashar Al-Assad, president of Syria who doubles as regional secretary of the Arab Baath Socialist Party, on Wednesday.

The message said:

I express thanks to you for sending a message of sympathy in connection with the floods that hit some parts of the DPRK, causing damage.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I express belief that the good relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries would grow stronger.