US starting new talks to try to reduce infiltration of foreign fighters from Syria into Iraq

US, Syria resuming talks about ’stability’ in Iraq

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is sending a delegation to Syria for talks this week on ways to stem the movement of foreign fighters into Iraq.

The talks may also deal with prospects for Mideast peacemaking. The U.S. delegation, made up mostly of military officials, includes Frederic Hof, an assistant to George Mitchell, a former Senate Democratic leader who is the spearheading U.S. peacemaking efforts in the Mideast.

An earlier round of talks was held in June.

“A significant topic of discussion will be, again, ongoing efforts by Syria to help stabilize the situation in Iraq,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said, referring to infiltration into Iraq by foreign fighters funneled through Syria.

The talks are part of an acceleration of U.S. engagement with the Arab world and U.S. hopes that Syria can play a constructive role.

Jeffrey D. Feltman, acting assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, and National Security Council official Daniel Shapiro both have visited Damascus at least twice this year as part of talks aimed at improving U.S. relations with Syria.

Hof has been mentioned as a possible nominee for U.S. ambassador to Damascus. The post has been vacant for four years.