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Mitchell: Syria has 'crucial' role in peace Mitchell: Syria has 'crucial' role in peace
(about 4 hours later)
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.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.
The comments came as he held talks with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian capital.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.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."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 the Lebanese government 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
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.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.
Mr Obama has said he wants to broker a peace deal with Syria and Israel to end decades of regional conflict.Mr Obama has said he wants to broker a peace deal with Syria and Israel to end decades of regional conflict.
Improved relations with the US 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.
The Golan heights remain an issue with Israel Lina Sinjab, in Damascus The first high-ranking US visit is likely to be followed by many more.
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 United States is now talking directly to the country once isolated by the Bush administration.
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. "We are here to talk directly to the Syrians and hear directly from them on issues of concern and not to dictate them on any policies," said a State Department official travelling with Mr Mitchell.
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. Talking directly to the Syrians does not mean that all the issues will be solved overnight. There are still many areas to work on.
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. The BBC's Lina Sinjab in Damascus says Syria also wants a US ambassador to be appointed after the last ambassador was withdrawn following the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minster Rafiq Hariri.
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. She says the Syrian government and people want to see US pressure on the Israelis to deliver long-awaited promises of peace.
Lebanese unease The Syrians have also promised to reopen an American cultural centre closed after a US raid last year into Syrian territory against suspected al-Qaeda militants.
While in Beirut, Mr Mitchell stressed that Mid-East peace could not be achieved "at Lebanon's expense", reported the news agency AP. Mr Mitchell's 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.
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.