Burns in Damascus

US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Joseph Burns arrived in Damascus yesterday evening in an undeclared visit, aiming at holding talks today with high ranking Syrian officials.

Burns started last week a tour which took him to Moscow, Iraq, Egypt, Israel and Jordan where he had met yesterday with the Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas. It was decided that Burns will return from Amman to Israel and then to the USA.

Burns held during this round talks that concentrated on the situation in Iraq and the process of implementing the Palestinian - Israeli roadmap.