According to the Saudi al-Watan newspaper, the new US administration of President Barak Obama is preparing to send an ambassador to Syria.

According to the Saudi report, quoting “senior diplomatic officials in Washington,” US President Barak Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are weighing changing Syria’s status and removing US-imposed sanctions. The move would signal a major shift in US policy and a warming of relations between Washington and Damascus.

In a related matter, US Congressman (D-Wash) Adam Smith has in the past days arrived in Damascus, leading a delegation which met with President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Walid Moallem.

According to Syrian media reports, the delegation members stressed Syria’s vital role in the region, expressing the White House’s desire to open diplomatic channels towards enhancing regional stability.

Al-Jazeera reports Assad made a presentation to the congressional delegation pertaining to the realities in the region following the Gaza War. The Syrian leader also expressed his support for opening a diplomatic channel with America towards developing mutual interests and mutual respect.

During a press conference following the meeting, Congressman Smith spoke of the goals of the Barak Obama administration, to open a new page leading to an American ambassador in Damascus. Smith acknowledged there are many issues which have to be worked out until such a possibility becomes reality, calling the meeting with the Syrian leader a good open session.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)