US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Syria on Monday against taking destabilizing measures in either Iraq or Lebanon, during talks with her Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem in New York.

"The secretary was very direct and making clear, both in the context of Lebanon and Iraq that we discourage any efforts to undermine the stability of either country," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

Despite a gradual warming of relations between Washington and Damascus, Crowley underlined "concerns about Syria's activities inside Lebanon and its relationship with Hezbollah."

Iraq and Syria last week reestablished diplomatic relations after a year-long row in the aftermath of massive truck bombs in Baghdad.

The two countries agreed to exchange diplomats after both capitals recalled their envoys last year.

Clinton and Muallem met on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York in just the second meeting between the two ministers since March 2009, when they talked briefly in Egypt during a donors conference for the Gaza Strip.

During her New York discussions with Muallem, Clinton "affirmed our objective of comprehensive peace in the Middle East which includes the Syrian track," Crowley said.

"Foreign Minister Muallem was very interested in pursuing that," he added.

earlier related report

Netanyahu, Clinton hold new talks on settlement freeze
Washington (AFP) Sept 27, 2010 –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton again Monday, after talks a day earlier, to discuss the controversial end of a partial settlement freeze.

The State Department confirmed the phone call, which it said built the pair's discussions a day earlier as a 10-month moratorium on new Jewish building in the West Bank ended.

The expiration of the freeze has thrown recently restarted peace talks into jeopardy, with Israel declining to renew the ban and the Palestinians threatening to walk out of negotiations if building resumes.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley declined to detail what Netanyahu and Clinton discussed, but said the talks were "very significant, very detailed, very direct."

"The prime minister understands what our policies are, we understand his ongoing political difficulties," Crowley said.

"We believe he's sincerely interested in the process, recognizes its importance."

Earlier Monday, Crowley said the United States was "disappointed" by the end of the settlement freeze, which Washington had urged Israel to extend.

But Crowley said the United States remains "focused on our long term objectives."

"One way or the other the parties have to find a way to continue direct negotiations," he said.

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is scheduled to hold talks with both sides this week during a trip to the region.

Share This Article With Planet Earth