Syrian President Bashar Assad
Photo: Reuters
Assad wants 'positive' dialogue with US
After meeting in Damascus, Washington diplomat says US has 'opportunity for fresh start in relations with Syria'
The Syrian president called Saturday for a "positive" dialogue with Washington, whose relations with Damascus have long been strained, Syria's official news agency reported.
Bashar Assad's comments came during a meeting with a visiting US congressional delegation. The Syrian leader stressed during the meeting that talks with the United States should be based on "common interests and mutual respect."
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Rep. Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington, called the meeting an "excellent beginning" in relations with Syria.
"We are very optimistic in the US with our newly elected President Obama that we have an opportunity for a fresh start in our relations with Syria," Smith told reporters at Damascus International Airport before leaving the country.
"We all want peace for this region. We all want to successfully fight terrorism," said Smith.
Syrian-US relations deteriorated sharply during the administration of former President George W. Bush, which accused Syria of allowing foreign fighters to cross its border into Iraq.
In October, a US military raid inside Syria near its border with Iraq targeted what American officials said was a top al-Qaida in Iraq figure. Syria has asked for proof of that claim and said the attack killed eight civilians.
Washington also pulled its Syrian ambassador after the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Damascus was accused of being involved in the killing but has denied the accusation.
When asked if a new US ambassador could be seen soon in Damascus, Smith said he hoped so.
