BREAKING NEWS

Mitchell says Syria has role to play in Middle East peace process

Washington's special Mideast envoy George Mitchell on Saturday said Syria has an integral role to play in the US effort to forge comprehensive peace in the region. The US and Syria share an obligation to help peace negotiations begin "promptly" between Israel, the Palestinians and the broader Arab world, Mitchell said. Mitchell spoke to reporters Saturday after a 90-minute meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. He is the highest US official to visit Damascus since 2005.