As summit opens, talks with Iran, Syria are main focus

At the strong urging of Iraq and other Arab countries, the United States looks likely to meet with some of its staunchest Mideast foes - Syria and Iran - at a summit of leaders that begins here Thursday, in an effort to ease regional tensions.

A high-level Syrian meeting seemed set for as early as Thursday, but the possibility of a more dramatic

face-to-face US meeting with Iran was still up in the air. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was willing to talk with Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, after years of accusations and name-calling between the nations. (AP)