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BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Syria's ally Iran said Monday that the U.S.-hosted Mideast peace conference has already failed. But Syria itself has much to gain from its participation in the Annapolis meeting — a long-sought opening with Washington, an end to its isolation among Arabs, and perhaps even movement on the Golan Heights.
U.S. officials are hoping the meeting could mark a start to moving Syria out of its alliance with Iran and the Hamas and Hezbollah militant groups. But Syria is being cautious, probing how much it can get before it goes too far and strains its close ties with Iran, observers said Monday.
Syria is sending its deputy foreign minister, Faysal Mikdad, rather than the full minister as other Arab nations are doing. This is perhaps a show of dissatisfaction that the issue of the Golan Heights is not more firmly on the agenda or an attempt to play down expectations — while stopping short of a boycott that would make Damascus look like a spoiler.
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