Visiting U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday stressed the role of Syria in search for solutions to key Middle East issues.

She made the point after talks with Lebanese parliamentary majority leader Saad Hariri before heading a U.S. delegation late in the day to Lebanon's northern neighbor Syria, which ended its three decades of military dominance over Lebanon in 2005.

The White House on Monday reiterated its objection to the trip, fearing the visit would send a "wrong message that Assad then exploits."

Washington accuses Syria and Iran of harboring terror organizations and backing insurgents in Iraq, which the two countries have denied.

Pelosi said she would persuade Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to help Lebanon, especially in efforts to set up an international court of justice to find out facts behind the assassination of former prime minister Rafik al-Hariri in February 2005.

She would also have discussions with Assad on Syria's influence in Iraq, as well as on the radical groups such as the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas.

Pelosi said it is important to build mutual trust with Syria, hoping that Damascus will proceed from self interest and return to its positive role in regional affairs.

The U.S. House speaker arrived here early in the day for a brief visit. During her stay, Pelosi also met with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Source: Xinhua