Welch Attacks Syrian Regime, Says Damascus Working Against Peace

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch has accused the Syrian regime of blocking peace efforts in the Middle East and said he discussed with Arab League Chief Amr Moussa the organization”s efforts to help Lebanon in electing a new president.

 

“When we talk about peace we cannot mention Syria,” Welch said after talks with Moussa in Cairo Thursday.

“Syria”s name is not associated with the word “peace” since it doesn”t work to achieve it,” Egypt”s Middle East News Agency (MENA) quoted him as saying.

 

Welch expressed concern over “the situation of the Syrian people” living under the rule of the Assad regime.

He also said he discussed with Moussa the situation in the region and the Arab League”s efforts to “achieve peace in Lebanon” so that a new Lebanese head of state is elected.

 

Moussa briefed Welch on the latest developments in Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, MENA quoted the top U.S. official as saying.