SYRIA: Request from Washington to accredit a U.S. ambassador to Damascus confirmed

Record ID: 279931

  • Title: SYRIA: Request from Washington to accredit a U.S. ambassador to Damascus confirmed
  • Date: 4th February 2010
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (FEBRUARY 3, 2010) (REUTERS) (CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY) VARIOUS OF MEETING BETWEEN SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WALID AL-MOUALLEM AND HIS SPANISH COUNTERPART MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS JOURNALISTS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE MOUALLEM AND MORATINOS ENTERING NEWS CONFERENCE HALL MOUALLEM AND MORATINOS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WALID AL-MOUALLEM,
  • Embargoed: 19th February 2010 12:00
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  • Reuters ID: LVA8K395A2CHEJAZN1Q7DCLMWB96
  • Story Text: Syria has received a request from Washington to accredit a U.S. ambassador to Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem said on Wednesday (February 3) .
    Mouallem confirmed media reports that Washington intends to name Robert Ford for the post.
    "In what concerns the American ambassador, yes, the United States has nominated an ambassador. It is Syria's right to study the nomination," Mouallem told reporters in Damascus during a news conference held with his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos.
    Washington's move marks another step towards improving relations with Syria, a process started by U.S. President Barack Obama soon after he took office a year ago.
    The United States withdrew its ambassador from Damascus in 2005 following the assassination in Beirut of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. At that time Syria's foes in Lebanon accused Damascus of being behind the bombing. Syria has denied any involvement.
    Mouallem warned that any war in the region would be inclusive and would prevent future generations from having peace talks.
    He said: "If we assume that like this war is launched in the region, which is a thing that we should expect from a unity that is based on wars and expansion, I say it (the war) would be inclusive whether it would have been in South Lebanon or in Syria. It would be inclusive and it will make the next generation far away from peace talks".
    Moratinos said the Israeli leaders he has met during his tour wanted peace but Mouallem warned the Israelis that a war launched at this time would escalate.
    He added: "You Israelis do not test Syria's determination. You know that the war at this time would be moved to your cities".
    Five rounds of indirect peace talks were held between Syria and Israel with Turkey's mediation. Those were suspended by Syria in January 2009 because of the Israeli assault on Gaza.
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