U.S. Takes Wait-and-See Approach on Syrian Interference in Lebanese Affairs
The U.S. State Department said it was taking a wait-and-see approach on Syria”s alleged support for "terrorist organizations" and interference in Lebanon”s domestic affairs.
"We”ll wait and see how the Syrians respond to our concerns about a number of things, such as, you know, support for terrorist organizations," Acting Department Spokesman, Robert Wood, said in a press briefing on Friday.
Syria "isn”t doing enough to serve as a good neighbor to Iraq" and is interfering "in Lebanese internal affairs," he said.
His comment came in response to a question about a meeting between Jeffrey Feltman, the acting assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, and Syria”s ambassador to Washington Imad Mustafa.
"Ambassador Feltman pointed out a number of concerns that the United States has about Syrian behavior and activities. We felt it was important that we communicate, you know, our concerns directly to the Syrians at this level," Wood told reporters.
The nearly two-hour meeting on Thursday was the first such high-level session since September and came at the request of the Obama administration.
Mustafa told reporters the talks were "very constructive" and he expected there would be more meetings in the coming months.
"We believe that this meeting has explored possibilities between Syria and the United States to engage on a diplomatic and political level and also to discuss all issues of mutual concern," the ambassador said. "We think this is a first step and we believe there will be many further meetings."