George Mitchell Heading To Syria Amid Hopes For Mideast Peace Help

WASHINGTON — The State Department says the Obama administration's special Middle East envoy is heading to Syria.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley says George Mitchell plans to arrive Saturday for his second visit in Damascus since he took up his post.

The Obama administration had a series of meetings with Syria and hopes the diplomatic outreach will encourage Damascus to play a positive role in both the Middle East peace process and also in Iraq.

Syria is seen as a major player in this process because of its support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and its intermittent peace talks with Israel.

Turkey has said it is prepared to resume mediating peace talks between Syria and Israel.

(This version CORRECTS the day of the week Mitchell will arrive in Syria to Saturday.)

Comments

[LMPE]

If we're going to allow rednecks to question whether Obama was born in the US, then it should be very easy to engage with Syria.

[DC]

I thought we are not allowed to speak with Syrians???

[newyorkid]

Get rid of that artificial country once for all and give it back to the PaIestinians.