U.S. Envoy Holds Talks With Syria President

[bemildred]

DAMASCUS, Syria—Senior U.S. diplomat William Burns met with Syrian President Bashar Assad here Wednesday, the latest move in a growing rapprochement between the countries, even as outreach to Syrian ally Iran appears to be faltering.

Mr. Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs, said he held "candid" talks with Mr. Assad on improving bilateral relations and recent developments in the Middle East, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Official Syrian news outlets reported that Messrs. Assad and Burns discussed practical steps to be taken to improve relations between the U.S. and Syria, acknowledging the need for "continuing constructive and serious dialogue."

U.S. officials have identified Mr. Assad as critical to the Obama administration's broader Mideast foreign-policy ambitions. Washington hopes to woo Damascus out of Iran's orbit, while persuading it to choke off support to militant groups Hezbollah, in Lebanon, and Hamas, in the Gaza Strip.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704398804575071631640363618.html