US-British split over 'next target' Syria

A marked difference in emphasis has emerged between Britain and America over the possible extension of war in Iraq to military action against Syria.

Tony Blair insisted that Britain had no intention of making a military strike against Syria and said he wanted to pursue "dialogue and partnership" with the country.

Today, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also refused to back Washington's description of Syria as a "rogue state".

While the White House called Syrian President Bashar Assad an "untested leader", Mr Straw said Syria's rulers were "intelligent people who have the future interest and welfare of their country at heart".

Mr Straw, speaking at Allied Central Command in Qatar, appeared to put clear water between the US and UK descriptions of Syria.

Asked if it was a rogue state, as the US says, he said: "We use different descriptions - Syria has an opportunity to prove that it's not in that category.

"We look forward to them understanding this new reality and moving forward."

The Prime yesterday was markedly conciliatory compared with Washington, which has threatened diplomatic and military sanctions. The US says Damascus is harbouring former members of Saddam Hussein's regime. Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary, has also accused Syria of conducting tests involving chemical weapons over the past 12 to 15 months.

But a fresh conflict is a non-starter in Britain, prompting Mr Blair's attempts to calm fears that Syria might be developing weapons with the help of Iraqi scientists or that it has been allowing supporters of Saddam to cross the border.

"I have spoken to President Assad and he has assured me that that is not happening, and I have said to him that it is important that he makes sure that that assurance is valid," he said.

Mr Blair insisted that reports of a US strike on Syria were "simply not correct." He told Labour backbenchers: "I have the advantage of talking to the President on a regular basis, and I can assure you that there are no plans to invade Syria."