Damascus denies making ‘painful concessions’ in bid to end isolation

[ECH1969]

DAMASCUS, Syria - Syria denied a British newspaper report that it was negotiating with the United States in an effort to end its isolation in return for a “list of painful concessions,” including blocking the flow of foreign fighters into neighboring Iraq.

Information Minister Mahdi Dakhlallah told reporters on Sunday that Syria did not accept the “logic of deals” because the country’s positions are “known for everyone and it defends them through realistic and flexible policy.”

Also, the official Syrian Arab News Agency quoted an unidentified foreign ministry official as saying that Syria was ready for “constructive dialogue” but without conditions.

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