British foreign secretary visits Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband left Syria Thursday with hopes that President Bashar Assad will contribute to peace in the Middle East.

But Miliband had little definite to take away, The Daily Telegraph reported. He was the first highest-ranking British official to visit Syria in seven years.

"This is a region of great conflict but also of great history," Miliband said after meeting with Assad. "It is important that those with power in the region exercise it with great responsibility."

Miliband is working to convince Assad that Syria should cut its ties to Hamas in Gaza and to Hezbollah in Lebanon, helping it to reach a settlement with Israel. French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Damascus earlier this year, and Europe appears more willing to engage in talks with Syria.

Syria is involved in indirect talks with Israel mediated by Turkey. Israeli President Shimon Peres said in a British radio interview that Syria must drop its support for Hezbollah, Voice of America reported.