Miliband: Syria vital to peace in Middle East

Wednesday 19 November 2008

Print
A A A
Latest in Middle East
Nuclear stunt shows Iran's uncompromising mood
Supreme Court finds in favour of BBC in Middle East analysis case
Assad sets date for constitutional reform referendum
Iran steps up nuclear operations
Oil pipeline attacked in Homs
Iran 'must be stopped' says Israel
Turkey: 17 killed in rebel clashes
A year on, violence erupts again at Bahrain flashpoint
Syria keeps up assault on rebels despite Arab threat
Israel on alert over bomb attacks
News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

Suggested Topics

David Miliband said that his talks with Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad, focused on ways of achieving a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The British Foreign Secretary said 2009 would be "an important year" in the region. "We all now have choices to make on how to fulfil comprehensive peace," he said after the talks. Relations between the West and Damascus have been strained by US accusations that Syria has turned a blind eye to Islamist fighters infiltrating Iraq, but diplomatic contacts between Europe and Damascus have increased in recent months.

The Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid Muallem, said the talks laid down the foundation for strong ties between the two countries. Mr Miliband told BBC Radio: "Syria has a big potential role to play in stability in the Middle East. It can be a force for stability or for instability. Over the past 18 months, I have been talking with the Syrian Foreign Minister about... Syria's responsibilities in the region in respect of counter-terrorism, in respect of Iraq, in respect of the Middle East peace process."

Comments

SPONSORED FEATURES

Free trial of new Independent iPad app

Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines

Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh Prizes & offers
Business videos

Win a three-week coastal jaunt

Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.

iPad app Posh Nosh Prizes & offers
Business videos

Amazing restaurant offers

Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Prizes & offers
Business videos

Latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh
Business videos

Commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh
Prizes & offers
Career Services

Day In a Page

How an abortion divided America

How an abortion divided America

Single mother who took a pill to end her pregnancy is now fighting a landmark prosecution in a conservative state
Can you master a language in a weekend?

Can you master a language in a weekend?

Ed Cooke insists he can use his techniques as a memory expert to help novices learn even the hardest tongues.
The 10 best heaters

The 10 best heaters

From the DeLonghi Retro Fan Heater to the Dimplex MicroFire
Coming soon to a shelf near you: The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers

Coming soon to a shelf near you

The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers
Mad, bad and delightful to know: How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

As the poet takes centre stage in the West End, Boyd Tonkin looks into the life of the outspoken champion of the poor
Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

New digital novel will overturn centuries of literary tradition by allowing readers to choose how they would like story to end
How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

With London Fashion Week starting tomorrow, designers are closeted in studios putting finishing touches to their collections
James Lawton: Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past

James Lawton

Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past
How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

United have met Ajax only once before in Europe, in 1976. The key performers recall an electric occasion
Civil war at Ajax

Civil war at Ajax

A rift between two club legends has torn the Dutch giants apart
Lewis Moody: For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now

Lewis Moody column

For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now
Geoff Toovey: Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world

Geoff Toovey interview

Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world
Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'