Rice: Syria real problem in Middle East

WASHINGTON – the US is unimpressed with Syria's peace overtures, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday, adding that "in terms of the Middle East, the Syrians are a real problem" for leaders who wish to pursue peace.

Speaking at a meeting of the Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Rice stated that "Syria continues to be a major funder of terrorism; a major harborer of those elements of the Palestinian political elite, for instance, who are opposed to a two-state solution, who are the ones who continue to perpetrate violence in the Palestinian territories and to attempt to do it in Israel.

"And so, in terms of Middle East peace, the Syrians are a real problem for leaders like Mahmoud Abbas who want to take a different course toward a two-state solution."

Referring to the possibility that Israel and Syria would enter peace negotiations, Rice said, "If it were possible, I think everybody would jump at the chance. But Syrian behavior is such that, particularly in the support that it gives to elements of Hamas that are preventing a two-state solution, it's not exhibited an attitude that suggests that it's ready for or intending to try and pursue peace."

Danger to democracy

Rice also spoke of the Syrian involvement in the conflict in Iraq, stating that she had asked the Syrian foreign minister, Walid Mouallem, to help stop the influx of militants into Iraq from Syria.

"When it comes to Iraq, we are very concerned about the foreign fighters that are transiting the Syrian border and are, therefore, doing great harm to innocent Iraqis and to our forces," she said.