DAMASCUS, Nov 24: Syrian Minister of Irrigation Taha al-Atrash met Saturday with his visiting Jordanian counterpart Hazem Nasser to discuss the construction of a dam in Yarmouk valley.

“My visit comes within the framework of the joint Syrian-Jordanian Yarmouk committee for constructing al-Wehda dam, Nasser told reporters upon his arrival.

Construction of the dam would start at the end of 2002, he said.

He said the project would cost 140 million Jordanian dinars (200 million dollars) which would come mainly from Arab and Islamic funds such as the Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, Saudi-based Islamic Development Bank and Abu Dhabi Development Fund.

Al-Atrash said the talks would “focus on the preparations to start implementing the Wehdeh Dam,”.

The Yarmouk River originates in Syria, runs along the Syrian- Jordanian border and flows into the Jordan River between Israel and Jordan.

Wehdah Dam, 102 kilometres north of Amman, is expected to generate electricity and provide drinking water for the Jordanian capital and its suburbs.—dpa