DAMASCUS – Syria has received a request from Washington to accredit a US Ambassador to Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said yesterday, marking a milestone in rapprochement between the two countries. Washington's move marks another step toward improving relations with Syria, a process started by US President Barack Obama soon after he took office a year ago. The United States withdrew its ambassador from Damascus in 2005 following the assassination in Beirut of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik al-Hariri. At that time Syria's foes in Lebanon accused Damascus of being behind the bombing. Syria has denied any involvement. "The United States has nominated an ambassador. This is an American sovereign issue and it is Syria's right to study the nomination," Moualem told reporters in Damascus. Moualem confirmed media reports that Washington intends to name Robert Ford for the post. A US Embassy official said a request for an ambassador to be approved had been passed to the Syrian government. The official did not name the proposed envoy.
