U.S. has Normal Relations with Syria, Disagrees with Damascus on Hizbullah, Iran
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman said Washington has "normal" relations with Syria.
"The long time spent to form the new Lebanese Cabinet may have left a positive impact on the Lebanese because it may mean that the Lebanese are beginning to understand each other," Feltman said in remarks published Tuesday by pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat.
"This is what I observed through my reading of the policy statement, which means that time has come for the Lebanese to rally behind an internal, national agenda," he added. His remarks were translated into English by Naharnet.
Feltman said he hoped the Lebanese would start a new phase by attending to domestic affairs and "stop thinking about what Americans or the Saudis or the Syrians or any external element believe, but think of what Lebanese need."
He described America”s relationship with Syria as "more normal than before and on more than one level."
"Several dialogue channels are now open, meaning that today dialogue is multi-sided," Feltman said, adding that the two countries continue to exchange formal visits.
"This is a positive and useful aspect. The important thing today is that that we are talking with each other, and not at each other. And that”s better for us and for Syria, as well as for the Lebanese," he believed.
He pointed to the "deep differences" with the Syrians in views regarding Hizbullah and Iran.