US congratulates Syria on Evacuation Day; urges help

US President George W. Bush on Thursday sent a message of congratulations to President Bashar Al-Assad on Syria's National Day of April 17, the day when French troops evacuated Syria.

For his part, US Secretary of State Colin Powell explained in another message addressed to President al-Assad risks of recent developments in Iraq. "The message has urged Syria to offer every possible help that can contribute in tranquilizing situations there in a way that serves this country's unity and preserves its security and stability," the presidential statement said.

The two messages were handed to Foreign Minister Farouq Shara during his meeting with US Ambassador to Syria Margaret Scobey.