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US Democrat set for Syria talks US Democrat set for Syria talks
(about 4 hours later)
US House speaker Nancy Pelosi has arrived in the Syrian capital for a visit which the White House has criticised as undermining US policy. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as she continues a visit to Syria that has angered the White House.
She was received in Damascus by Foreign Minister Walid Muallim and will meet President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday. President George W Bush has said her visit undermines US foreign policy.
The top Democrat brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises. Ms Pelosi brushed off criticism, saying dialogue with Syria was key to solving the Iraq and Lebanon crises.
A top Syrian official said he welcomed the visit as the start of a dialogue between the two countries but had no illusions about what it could achieve.
Syria's deputy foreign minister, Fayssal Mekdad, told the BBC's Kim Ghattas that "true dialogue is the only way for solving the very grave problems in the region."
But he was doubtful that "in a first visit of this type with such an administration in the United States we can reach the expected results".
'Mixed signals'
The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.The Republican Bush administration has boycotted Syria since the 2005 murder of Lebanon's former PM Rafik Hariri.
We think if we achieve the comprehensive and just peace there will be no more justification for the existence of armed groups in the region Fayssal MekdadSyrian deputy foreign minister
President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.President Bush said Ms Pelosi's trip to Syria sent "mixed signals" that undermined US-led efforts to isolate the Syrian president.
"Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said."Photo opportunities and/or meetings with President Assad lead the Assad government to believe they're part of the mainstream of the international community, when, in fact, they're a state sponsor of terror," Mr Bush said.
Before arriving in Syria, Ms Pelosi pointed to the visit of Republican representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt, who met President Assad on Sunday.Before arriving in Syria, Ms Pelosi pointed to the visit of Republican representatives Frank Wolf, Joe Pitts and Robert Aderholt, who met President Assad on Sunday.
"I didn't hear the White House speaking out about that," Ms Pelosi said."I didn't hear the White House speaking out about that," Ms Pelosi said.
'Brave lady' 'Wrong policies'
Ms Pelosi, wearing a headscarf, visited the tomb that contains the head of St John the Baptist in the Old City of Damascus on Tuesday ahead of talks with Mr Assad on Wednesday. On Tuesday evening, a veiled Ms Pelosi visited the the Umayyad mosque in the Old City of Damascus, where she saw a shrine said to contain the head of St John the Baptist.
She also visited the outdoor Bazouriyeh market, chatting with locals who offered her dried figs and nuts.She also visited the outdoor Bazouriyeh market, chatting with locals who offered her dried figs and nuts.
Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.Ms Pelosi is reported to be the highest-ranking US politician to visit Syria since bilateral relations deteriorated in 2003, when the US invaded neighbouring Iraq.
Syrian state media have hailed the visit as "positive", with the Syria Times describing Ms Pelosi as a "brave lady". The US and the European Union have criticised Syria's regional policies and its support for militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Palestinian movement Hamas.
"American legislators, Democrats as well as Republicans, are aware that US policy in the region, especially the war in Iraq and its ties with Syria, is a fiasco that must be repaired," said Tishrin newspaper. But Syria's deputy foreign minister said it was US policy in the region that fostered these groups.
"(Syria) is ready for serious and sincere dialogue with the US officials," it added, saying it saw "great hopes of a rebalancing of US policy in the region". "The mere presence of such forces is a reflection of the wrong policies of the United States," Fayssal Mekdad told our correspondent.
"We think if we achieve the comprehensive and just peace there will be no more justification for the existence of armed groups in the region," he said.
A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.A UN investigation has implicated Syrian officials in the killing of Mr Hariri, despite a strong denial from Damascus.
Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track.Ms Pelosi has already held talks in Israel, and correspondents say she is expected to transmit Israel's views on the long-stalled Syria-Israel peace track.
Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.Syria demands the return of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel in 1967.