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US and Syria hold landmark talks US and Syria hold landmark talks
(about 2 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has begun a ground-breaking meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem at a summit in Egypt. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has held a ground-breaking meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem at a summit in Egypt.
It is the first time the two countries have held such a high-level talks since the death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. Mr Muallem said the highest-level talks between the two countries in several years were "frank and constructive".
Syrian officials have been linked to his killing - a claim Syria denies. US-Syrian relations have worsened in recent years over claims of Syrian interference in Iraq and Lebanon.
The US has also accused Syria of stoking violence in Iraq, but says it has recently showed signs of changing. The meeting took place on the sidelines of a conference called to help develop and bring peace to Iraq.
"There has been some movement by the Syrians," a US military spokesman said in Baghdad. Delegates endorsed a five-year International Compact for Iraq (ICI), under which Iraq will institute reforms promoting national reconciliation, and will receive major financial assistance.
"There has been a reduction in the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq" for more than a month, Major General William Caldwell said. 'Businesslike' talks
US relations with Syria have been strained over Damascus's alleged involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, and accusations that it has allowed foreign jihadists to enter Iraq through Syria.
Ms Rice said she had raised the Iraq issue at what she said was a "professional and businesslike" meeting with Mr Muallem.
Specific financial commitments made by particular countries are estimated at over $30bn Ban Ki-moonUN Secretary General Q&A: Sharm el-Sheikh conferences Tough issues in Egypt Press doubts over summit
Mr Muallem said the meeting had focused on "the situation in Iraq and how to achieve stability".
Earlier, a US military spokesman in Baghdad said: "There has been some movement by the Syrians.
"There has been a reduction in the flow of foreign fighters [through Syria] into Iraq" for more than a month, Major General William Caldwell said.
Greeting over lunchGreeting over lunch
The meeting between Ms Rice and Mr Muallem took place on the sidelines of a major conference in Egypt, called to try to help pacify and develop Iraq.
There is speculation that Ms Rice may also hold talks with her Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.There is speculation that Ms Rice may also hold talks with her Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki.
If she did, it would be the first time the two countries held such high-level talks since the United States cut relations in 1980. If she does, it will be the first such high-level talks since the US cut relations with Iran in 1980.
Ms Rice and Mr Mottaki greeted each other at lunch at the conference on Thursday, but "they said hello, that's about it", said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. Ms Rice and Mr Mottaki greeted each other at lunch at the conference, but "they said hello, that's about it", said US state department spokesman Sean McCormack.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki opened the conference with an appeal to other countries to write off its debts. Iraq has been encouraging the US to open dialogue with both Syria and Iran, which it believes could play a role in stemming the violence in Iraq.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki opened the Egypt conference with an appeal to other countries to write off its debts.
He said Iraq needed to free up funds to invest in much-needed reconstruction projects.He said Iraq needed to free up funds to invest in much-needed reconstruction projects.
"We call on all the friends and brothers participating in this conference to forgive Iraq all its debts in order to enable it to start the projects," Mr Maliki said."We call on all the friends and brothers participating in this conference to forgive Iraq all its debts in order to enable it to start the projects," Mr Maliki said.
'Critical juncture''Critical juncture'
Thursday's conference was called to endorse a five-year International Compact for Iraq (ICI), under which Iraq will institute reforms promoting national reconciliation, and will receive major financial assistance. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said many countries and organisations had made pledges.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: "Iraq is at a critical juncture. "Specific financial commitments made by particular countries are estimated at over $30bn," (£15m) he said.
Iraqi Finance Minister Bayan Jabor said Egypt had agreed to write off all the money it was owed by Iraq - about $800m - while Slovenia, Bulgaria and Poland would cancel 80% of Iraq's debts.
SUMMIT DELEGATIONS INCLUDE United StatesIranSyriaSaudi ArabiaRussiaChinaEuropean Union
He said the European Union had pledged $200m in grants, while British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett committed the UK to the same amount.
"In return Iraq will have to commit to finding real national reconciliation," Mr Jabor told Reuters.
Mr Ban said: "Iraq is at a critical juncture.
"As the Iraqi people strive to achieve these goals they should be able to count on the active support of Iraq's neighbours and the international community.""As the Iraqi people strive to achieve these goals they should be able to count on the active support of Iraq's neighbours and the international community."
Separate talks on Friday, involving all Iraq's neighbouring countries and other major powers, will focus on Iraq's security.Separate talks on Friday, involving all Iraq's neighbouring countries and other major powers, will focus on Iraq's security.