AMMAN, Jordan, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Germany's foreign minister called off a meeting with Syria's president after the Middle Eastern leader blamed the region's troubles on the United States.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in an Amman, Jordan, airport that the speech given by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was "a negative contribution that does not do justice to the present challenges and opportunities in the Middle East," German newspaper Deustche Welle reported Tuesday.
Earlier Tuesday, the Syrian president said, "It's obvious that after six years of this U.S. administration that there is no peace and that there will be no peace in the foreseeable future."
Steinmeier said Syria could repair its damaged reputation and regain the trust of the international community only through constructive action.
"But the basic prerequisite for this is a clear and unmistakable commitment to putting regional differences in interests aside," Steinmeier said. "President Assad's speech today is a step in the opposing direction. That's why I have decided not to travel to Damascus."
