US Middle East envoy George Mitchell said the US wants Syria's help in forging a deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Mitchell said after meeting President Bashar al-Assad that restarting talks between Syria, which backs the Palestinian group Hamas, and Israel was a ‘near-term goal’ for Washington.
‘If we are to succeed, we will need Arabs and Israelis alike to work with us to bring about comprehensive peace. We will welcome the full cooperation of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic in this historic endeavour,’ he said.
The indirect talks between Syria and Israel, which were being mediated by Turkey, were suspended during the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip in December.
Turkey said this month it was ready to resume mediation of those talks.
Mr Mitchell described his discussion with President Assad as ‘very candid and positive’.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is also due in the region today.
The visit of the two high-ranking US officials to the Middle East is part of a broad diplomatic push by President Barack Obama to revitalise stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Mitchell was due to meet Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak and will visit Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas tomorrow and hold discussions with Israeli prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
Mr Gates also plans talks in Israel and is due to meet Mr Netanyahu and Mr Barak tomorrow.
They will discuss missile defence, Iran's nuclear ambitions and bilateral security issues.
It is the second time in a month that Mr Mitchell has visited the Middle East and he is also due to travel to Egypt and Bahrain.
US National Security Advisor James Jones will arrive in the region for talks later this week.
Elsewhere, the British government is facing fresh calls to open contacts with the militant Palestinian Hamas movement in an attempt to inject new momentum into the peace process.
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee said that the current policy of non-engagement with Hamas, which controls Gaza, appeared to be achieving little.
