British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair today opened what he described as a "candid dialogue" with Syria, appealing for an end to violence from all sides in the Middle East to give the peace process in the region a fresh start.
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President Bashar Assad
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However, President Bashar al-Assad said he disagreed with the ongoing US-led onslaught against Afghanistan. He said the international community should be focussing on dealing with the causes of terrorism, rather than on its consequences.
Mr Blair acknowledged it was "difficult" to visit the country, which is claimed to host some of the most extreme terrorist groups.
But after talks, Mr Blair said: "There is no alternative when all the killing and bloodshed stops. People will have to come back to resolve their differences."
"This is a candid dialogue but this is a dialogue I would like to think would be pursued by us both as people trying to reach an understanding of each other's perspective and trying to work together as partners for the greater good of the wider world."
Mr Blair said the two leaders had discussed both the September 11th atrocities - which Syria was swift to condemn - and the need to restart the Middle East peace process.
"We both understand the importance of restarting the peace process," said Mr Blair.
Mr Blair will meet the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon over the next two days.
PA