CAIRO (AFP) — The Arab League's deputy secretary general said on Thursday that constructive dialogue was a better way of resolving US differences with Syria than the extension of sanctions announced by Washington.
The Arab League prefers "resolving differences between Syria and the United States through the American administration's opening of a constructive dialogue with Damascus," Ahmed ben Helli told journalists.
US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that he was extending sanctions against Syria following Washington's charge that Damascus had been building a nuclear reactor with North Korea's help.
"I took these actions to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of the Government of Syria," Bush said in the order.
Bush accused Syria of "supporting terrorism ... pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs including the recent revelation of illicit nuclear cooperation with North Korea."
Syria said the US accusations were as bogus as American claims that Saddam Hussein's regime had weapons of mass destruction in 2003.
Ben Helli said "Arab League summits, including the one (held in March) in Damascus, call in their resolutions for dialogue and diplomacy to take precedence as a means of resolving differences between countries and of reaching understanding."
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