Rice: US will back Israeli-Syrian talks

US secretary of state says US will not stand in way of peace talks between Jerusalem, Damascus, but would like to see Syria change its policy in Lebanon
Reuters

The United States would support a Turkish-brokered Syrian-Israeli peace drive but wants to see Damascus change its policy on Lebanon, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in remarks published on Sunday.

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"We do not wish to stand in the way of any attempt to achieve peace between Israel and its neighbors including Syria," Rice told al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper in remarks translated into Arabic.

"If the two sides wished to exert an effort for peace the United States would give its blessing and back these efforts. The problem is that Syria is yet to show a desire for Middle East peace especially vis-a-vis Lebanon," she added.

"What should not happen is that we talk to Syria about peace ignoring Lebanon," Rice said. "The Syrians should demarcate their border with Lebanon ... And send an ambassador to Lebanon and stop dealing with it as a Syrian district."

Rice also said that talking about peace with the Syrians should not eclipse a US drive to push for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.

Rice also made a swipe at Iran, an ally of Syria, which it also accuses of meddling in Beirut's politics through Hizbullah. "Iran is behind all problems in the region."