Syria will exercise its influence on Hezbollah if “circumstances” change in Lebanon, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said today after meeting with Syria’s president.

Diplomatic efforts to end Israeli-Hezbollah fighting gained traction today, with Israeli officials saying the country would agree to halt fighting if its two captured soldiers were returned and Islamic guerrillas withdrew from the border.

Syria’s vice president today blamed Israel for the escalating violence in Lebanon and Palestinian territories, and Arab countries worried over possible Israeli retaliation against Syria after the capture of two Israeli soldiers by its ally, Hezbollah.

SYRIA has responded angrily to a UN resolution warning that it faced possible further action if it refuses to cooperate with the UN investigation into the February assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Britain, France and the United States expect the UN Security Council will approve a tough resolution demanding that Syria co-operate with the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

THE brother-in-law of Syria’s president has been implicated in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, according to a UN inquiry.

The US and its peace partners must help the Palestinians and Israelis resume talks aimed at achieving Palestinian statehood, Jordan’s prime minister told a top UN envoy yesterday.

Iraqi and Syrian officials met today to discuss restoring full diplomatic relations and reopening their embassies after a 23-year break in full diplomatic relations, said a senior Iraqi Foreign Ministry official.

Syria today informed the United Nations its forces have completed their withdrawal from Lebanon, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Syria has promised to remove all its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon by April 30, the UN envoy said today after meeting with Syria’s president and foreign minister.

Syria promised the UN yesterday that it will withdraw all troops from Lebanon before parliamentary elections, but did not mention a pullout of its intelligence operatives, as demanded by the Security Council.

Arab leaders today launched into a flurry of diplomatic activity, including a trip by Syrian President Bashar Assad to Saudi Arabia, as they sought to control a political storm over Syria’s role in neighbouring Lebanon.

SYRIA’S foreign minister blamed Israel in remarks published yesterday for the deadlock in peace talks between the two arch foes, citing Israel’s rejection of Damascus’ recent overtures.

The Palestinian elections provide an opportunity to revive the Mideast peace process, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today, adding that Israel is ready for such a step.

World leaders meeting in Egypt today focused on Israel, the Palestinians and what is seen as a chance to jump start the peace process, before shifting focus to Iraq.

This week’s suicide attack in southern Israel has sparked a war of words between Israel and Syria and increased pressure to finish the West Bank barrier that many Israelis believe saves lives, regardless of international condemnation.

Israel ratcheted up its rhetoric against Syria today, hinting of possible military action following this week’s suicide bombing of two buses in southern Israel.

Egypt today offered to host a new meeting of Arab leaders, but the head of the Arab League said there were no immediate plans to do so following the collapse of the Arab summit two days before its scheduled opening.

ONLY the United States stood behind Israel last night in the face of international condemnation of the reprisal air raid on Syria that plunged the Mideast into deeper turmoil.

Only the United States stood behind Israel tonight in the face of international condemnation of the reprisal air raid on Syria that plunged the Mideast into deeper turmoil.

Syrians were fixing shattered windows and doors and cleaning their homes today, a day after Israeli warplanes attacked and heavily damaged a nearby camp that was formerly run by Palestinian militants.

The US has returned five Syrian border guards wounded during a gun battle on the Iraqi border earlier this month.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell is planning to visit the Middle East soon as part of efforts to restart the peace process between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

IRAQI President Saddam Hussein yesterday called an emergency session of parliament to consider the UN resolution to disarm, while Arab ministers indicated he was ready to accept the document.

Iraq is expected to accept a UN resolution to disarm, Egypt’s foreign minister said early today.

SAUDI Arabia has upped the pressure on Baghdad, hinting it may let the US use its bases for a military campaign against Iraq if the attack had UN backing.

Syria's foreign minister says the terror attacks on the United States were a horrible event.