Pyongyang, October 7 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il Thursday received a message of greeting from Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on the 66th birthday of the Workers' Party of Korea.

The message said:

Allow me to extend heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of the leadership of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, the Syrian Arab people and myself, to you, the leadership of the WPK and the fraternal Korean people on the 66th birthday of the WPK. And please accept my best wishes for successes of you and members of the leadership of your party in their work as well as for the Korean people's progress and prosperity.

I, availing myself of this good opportunity, would like to express belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between Syria and the DPRK will continue to grow stronger in the interests of the peoples of the two friendly countries.

Please accept Your Excellency my highest regards.