Syrian president meets British foreign secretary in Damascus

Nov 18, 2008, 9:31 GMT

Damascus - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met on Tuesday with Britain's foreign secretary, the highest ranking British official to visit Syria since 2001, the Syrian news agency (SANA) reported.

The meeting, coming after increased tensions between Syria and the United States, was expected to focus on Palestine, SANA reported.

Miliband said on his arrival that Syria played a stabilizing role in the Middle East.

'Syria plays a basic role in boosting stability of the region,' Miliband told reporters in Syria.

Miliband said that the Palestinian situation was on the agenda, describing the situation as 'fragile' and requiring responsibility from all side, SANA reported.

Syria, which the United States has moved to isolate due to disagreements over policy on Iraq and Lebanon, last received a British diplomat in 2001.

According to the British Press Association, former British prime minister Tony Blair was embarrassed during his last visit to Syria after al-Assad started to praise Palestinian militants during a mutual press conference.

The West has criticized Syria for supporting terrorism and for its close links with Iran. Syria hosts exiled members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and supports the Lebanese Hezbollah party.

Tension with the United States have increased in the wake of a recent US commando raid on the Syrian village of Abu Kamal, which killed eight Syrian civilians.

President-elect Barack Obama has said that Washington is ready to speak with its enemies, which could presage a possible thaw in the relationship.