Syria seeks to 'normalize' U.S. relations

DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Syria seeks to "normalize" U.S. relations and would be prepared to put a lid on militant operations of Hezbollah and Hamas, a state analyst says.

Syrian analyst Sami Mubayed, in an article published Friday on the Asia Times Web site, called on U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to shift American policy toward Damascus, starting with endorsing the renewed peace talks with Israel to ensure their success.

Mubayed, whose analyses are considered the official standpoint of the Syrian government, urged Obama to dispatch a new U.S. ambassador to Damascus, the first since the deterioration of diplomatic relations in 2005, Haaretz reported.

Syria would also demand that the economic sanctions against it be dropped and that it should have a further role regarding Iraq.

In return, the article said, Syria would be ready to use its weight against the militant activities of Hezbollah and Hamas and would work with Western powers to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.