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US envoy set for key Syria talks Mitchell: Syria has 'crucial' role in peace
(about 9 hours later)
President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, has arrived in Syria for talks with officials including President Bashar al-Assad. Washington's Mid-East envoy George Mitchell has said Syria has a "crucial role" in finding a comprehensive peace settlement, during a visit to Damascus.
He is the highest-ranking US diplomat to visit Damascus since Barack Obama's administration took office. The comments came as he held talks with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian capital.
The visit marks a further thaw in relations between the two countries since Mr Obama took power in January.
Correspondents say the US is testing Syria's support for America's stated new drive for peace in the region.Correspondents say the US is testing Syria's support for America's stated new drive for peace in the region.
"Syria has an integral role to play in reaching comprehensive peace," Mr Mitchell said on Saturday.
But Mr Mitchell has assured Lebanon that securing Syrian co-operation will not come at Beirut's expense.But Mr Mitchell has assured Lebanon that securing Syrian co-operation will not come at Beirut's expense.
He arrived in Syria from Beirut, and has already visited Israel, the West Bank, Egypt and Jordan.He arrived in Syria from Beirut, and has already visited Israel, the West Bank, Egypt and Jordan.
Key playerKey player
Mr Mitchell is set to meet President Assad on Saturday morning, after which he will deliver a statement. On Friday US military officials held talks with Syrian officials in Damascus, which are thought to have included discussions about neighbouring Iraq, Reuters news agency reported.
The BBC's Lina Sinjab in Damascus says Syrians are looking forward to the meeting. Mr Obama has said he wants to broker a peace deal with Syria and Israel to end decades of regional conflict.
Improved relations could mean a lifting of sanctions and many new business deals - something many ordinary Syrians are hoping for. Improved relations with the US could mean a lifting of sanctions and many new business deals - something many ordinary Syrians are hoping for.
However, our correspondent says, the government and people here want to see pressure from the superpower on the Israelis to deliver long-awaited promises of peace. The Golan heights remain an issue with Israel
The BBC's Lina Sinjab in Damascus says the Syrian government and people want to see US pressure on the Israelis to deliver long-awaited promises of peace.
The visit comes just a week after President Obama's ground-breaking speech in Cairo, in which he called for a "new beginning" between Muslims and the US, and vowed to pursue aggressively an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.The visit comes just a week after President Obama's ground-breaking speech in Cairo, in which he called for a "new beginning" between Muslims and the US, and vowed to pursue aggressively an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He did not mention Syria in the speech, but Damascus, where the United States still does not have an ambassador, remains a key regional player, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.He did not mention Syria in the speech, but Damascus, where the United States still does not have an ambassador, remains a key regional player, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.
It has an influence over events in Lebanon; it shares a crucial border with Iraq; it has a significant relationship with the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip; and it is a close ally of Iran, he says.It has an influence over events in Lebanon; it shares a crucial border with Iraq; it has a significant relationship with the Islamist Palestinian movement Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip; and it is a close ally of Iran, he says.
But above all it wants Syria to push Hamas along the road to Palestinian unity - and ultimately Washington would like to woo Damascus away from Tehran.But above all it wants Syria to push Hamas along the road to Palestinian unity - and ultimately Washington would like to woo Damascus away from Tehran.
Lebanese uneaseLebanese unease
Syria also has issues: It wants to get back the Golan Heights, territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. It also wants to see an end to US economic sanctions.
While in Beirut, Mr Mitchell stressed that Mid-East peace could not be achieved "at Lebanon's expense", reported the news agency AP.While in Beirut, Mr Mitchell stressed that Mid-East peace could not be achieved "at Lebanon's expense", reported the news agency AP.
Factions in Lebanon are concerned that improving relations could see Syria reassert its influence in Lebanon.Factions in Lebanon are concerned that improving relations could see Syria reassert its influence in Lebanon.
Under international pressure, Syria withdrew soldiers from Lebanon following the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.Under international pressure, Syria withdrew soldiers from Lebanon following the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.