Pelosi begins talks with Syrian leaders

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met Syrian government officials today for talks criticised by the White House as undermining American efforts to isolate the hard-line Arab country.

Pelosi and accompanying members of Congress began their day of talks in Damascus with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and were expected to meet President Bashar Assad later.

The Californian Democrat has brushed off criticism from President George Bush’s administration, pointing out that other members of Congress have visited Syria this month and arguing that she aimed to initiate dialogue with Assad’s government and try to change its behaviour.

Mr Bush has said Pelosi’s trip signals that the Assad government is part of the international mainstream when it is not.

The United States says Syria allows Iraqi Sunni insurgents to operate from its territory, backs the Hezbollah and Hamas militant groups and is trying to destabilise the Lebanese government. Syria denies the allegations.

Pelosi’s visit to Syria was the latest challenge to the White House by congressional Democrats, who are taking a more assertive role in influencing policy in the Middle East and the Iraq war.