Miliband: Syria has key responsibilities in fragile region

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Britain's foreign secretary is urging Syria to promote stability in the Mideast during the first visit by a senior British official to Damascus since 2001. David Miliband said the situation in the Middle East is fragile and Syria has key regional responsibilities. He spoke to reporters after arriving in Damascus on Monday. In his comments, he suggested the future relationship with Syria depended on its good intentions. Western leaders are trickling back to Syria after years of isolation. They are apparently encouraged by Syria's decision earlier this year to formalize diplomatic ties with neighboring Lebanon and its indirect peace talks with Israel. Miliband, who is on a Mideast tour, will meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday.