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US envoy pushes peace in Damascus US 'determined' on Mid-East peace
(about 2 hours later)
US President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, is holding talks in Damascus with Syrian President Bashar Assad. President Obama is determined to mediate a comprehensive Mid-East peace settlement, his special envoy said after talks in Syria.
George Mitchell said he had told the Syrian President Bashar Assad the US wanted his full co-operation in the "historic endeavour".
Restarting peace talks between Syria and Israel was a "near-term goal," he said after the meeting in Damascus.
He is now due to go to Israel in a bid to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks.
Mr Mitchell has said Syria plays a key role in bringing peace to the region.Mr Mitchell has said Syria plays a key role in bringing peace to the region.
The US State Department says he will be looking at ways to promote peace talks between Syria and Israel. Correspondents say the visit was not expected to bring a breakthrough, but Syrian officials have been encouraged by Washington's new willingness to listen.
Correspondents say the visit is not expected to bring a breakthrough, but Syrian officials are encouraged by Washington's new willingness to listen.
Several other high-ranking US officials will also be in the Middle East in the next few days.Several other high-ranking US officials will also be in the Middle East in the next few days.
Fresh startFresh start
Last month, Mr Mitchell became the highest-level US official to visit Damascus since 2005.Last month, Mr Mitchell became the highest-level US official to visit Damascus since 2005.
After meeting the Syrian president, he will travel to Israel as part of efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Damascus is a major player in the region, because of its support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its close links with Iran.Damascus is a major player in the region, because of its support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, its backing for Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its close links with Iran.
In the past, this made Syria a pariah in the eyes of the Bush administration, which cut virtually all ties with Syria, the BBC's Natalia Antelava reports from Beirut.In the past, this made Syria a pariah in the eyes of the Bush administration, which cut virtually all ties with Syria, the BBC's Natalia Antelava reports from Beirut.
But on the eve of Mr Mitchell's arrival in Damascus, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said he was looking forward to the visit as "the first step of dialogue", in what is rare public praise for Washington from a Syrian official.But on the eve of Mr Mitchell's arrival in Damascus, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said he was looking forward to the visit as "the first step of dialogue", in what is rare public praise for Washington from a Syrian official.
He said Syria would lobby Mr Mitchell on the issue of the Golan Heights, a strategic mountainous area seized by Israel in 1967 which Syria wants back.He said Syria would lobby Mr Mitchell on the issue of the Golan Heights, a strategic mountainous area seized by Israel in 1967 which Syria wants back.
Washington is a long way away from getting Damascus on its side, but for now at least, the atmosphere of hostility which dominated during the Bush administration seems to be a thing of the past, our correspondent says.Washington is a long way away from getting Damascus on its side, but for now at least, the atmosphere of hostility which dominated during the Bush administration seems to be a thing of the past, our correspondent says.