Blair envoy in Syria initiative, government in London confirms

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Wednesday November 1, 2006

London- British Prime Minister Tony Blair has launched a diplomatic initiative aimed at prising Syria away from its support for radical Middle East groups and policies and ending the contry's international isolation, government officials in London said Wednesday. They confirmed earlier reports from Damascus that Nigel Sheinwald, one of Blair's senior foreign policy advisers, visited Damascus Monday where he had talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.

Britain and Syria have maintained diplomatic relations but Sheinwald's visit is the most high-level encounter between the UK government and the Assad regime since the Iraq war in 2003.

The mission preceded a visit Blair hopes to make to the region before the end of the year.

The British leader, who has said he will step down from office by next September, has singled out Middle East peace efforts as one of the areas in which he would like to make a contribution.

The government in London that the visit did not mark any change of strategy by the UK towards Syria.

The Financial Times said Wednesday that Blair hoped to use the "back channel" talks to test whether the Syrian regime was serious about seeking to play a constructive role in Middle East peace negotiations with Israel.

Britain would also like to see Syria rethink its close alliance with Iran.

The Financial Times commented that the initiative puts Britain out of step with current thinking in the Bush administration, although the US had said it had been advised in advance of Sheinwald's visit.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency