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US Democrat Pelosi in Syria talks US Democrat Pelosi in Syria talks
(about 1 hour later)
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as she continues a visit to Syria that has angered the White House. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a visit to Syria that has angered the White House.
President George W Bush has said her visit undermines US foreign policy.President George W Bush has said her visit undermines US foreign policy.
Ms Pelosi brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises.Ms Pelosi brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises.
A top Syrian official said he welcomed the visit as the start of a dialogue between the two countries but had no illusions about what it could achieve.A top Syrian official said he welcomed the visit as the start of a dialogue between the two countries but had no illusions about what it could achieve.
Ms Pelosi sat with President Assad for a photo opportunity at his palace overlooking Damascus before their meeting began.Ms Pelosi sat with President Assad for a photo opportunity at his palace overlooking Damascus before their meeting began.
She met earlier with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem and Vice President Faruq al-Shara.She met earlier with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem and Vice President Faruq al-Shara.
'Mixed signals''Mixed signals'
Ms Pelosi has said she intended to push Syria on its suspected support for Iraqi insurgents and its backing of Islamist militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.
We think if we achieve the comprehensive and just peace there will be no more justification for the existence of armed groups in the region Fayssal MekdadSyrian deputy foreign minister Nancy Pelosi profileWe think if we achieve the comprehensive and just peace there will be no more justification for the existence of armed groups in the region Fayssal MekdadSyrian deputy foreign minister Nancy Pelosi profile
The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.
"Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said."Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said.
Before arriving in Syria, Ms Pelosi pointed to the visit of Republican representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt, who met President Assad on Sunday.
"I didn't hear the White House speaking out about that," Ms Pelosi said.
Ms Pelosi's office has said that it is worth engaging with "every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq".Ms Pelosi's office has said that it is worth engaging with "every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq".
The bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended last year that the US should begin direct talks about Iraq with both Iran and Syria - something the White House has rejected.The bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended last year that the US should begin direct talks about Iraq with both Iran and Syria - something the White House has rejected.
There is also a domestic political angle to Ms Pelosi's visit, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington. The visit also has a domestic purpose for Ms Pelosi, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, by showing the Democrats' clear difference with the White House
It causes problems for Mr Bush, our correspondent says, because the Democrats are showing clear differences with the White House, not just over isolating Iran and Syria but also over the conduct of the war in Iraq.It causes problems for Mr Bush, our correspondent says, because the Democrats are showing clear differences with the White House, not just over isolating Iran and Syria but also over the conduct of the war in Iraq.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives - controlled since November by the Democrats - have recently passed bills setting deadlines for a military withdrawal from Iraq.Both the Senate and the House of Representatives - controlled since November by the Democrats - have recently passed bills setting deadlines for a military withdrawal from Iraq.
'Wrong policies''Wrong policies'
Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.
The US and the European Union have criticised Syria's regional policies and its support for militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian movement Hamas.The US and the European Union have criticised Syria's regional policies and its support for militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian movement Hamas.
But Syria's deputy foreign minister said it was US policy in the region that fostered these groups.But Syria's deputy foreign minister said it was US policy in the region that fostered these groups.
"The mere presence of such forces is a reflection of the wrong policies of the United States," Fayssal Mekdad told the BBC's Kim Ghattas."The mere presence of such forces is a reflection of the wrong policies of the United States," Fayssal Mekdad told the BBC's Kim Ghattas.
He welcomed Ms Pelosi's visit, saying "true dialogue is the only way for solving the very grave problems in the region."He welcomed Ms Pelosi's visit, saying "true dialogue is the only way for solving the very grave problems in the region."
But he added a note of caution.But he added a note of caution.
"We have no illusions that in a first visit of this type with such an administration in the United States we can reach the expected results"."We have no illusions that in a first visit of this type with such an administration in the United States we can reach the expected results".
A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.
Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track.Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track.
Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.