Visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in Damascus on Tuesday that the next year of 2009 would be a chance to achieve comprehensive peace and stability in the Middle East.
Miliband made the remarks at a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem after meeting with President Bashar al-Assad.
He welcomed the "good steps" taken by Syria with regard to its relationship with Lebanon, Iraq and other issues, saying he looked forward to continued steps and further cooperation in the coming months.
Miliband, who arrived in Damascus on Monday evening after his trips to Israel and the Palestinian territories, said he discussed with President Assad a vision of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East in next year.
The top British diplomat also welcomed the four rounds of indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel under Turkish mediation, hoping that the talks would be push forward with new force.
On the Palestinian situation, Miliband said "Palestinian disunity and Hamas violence hurts the cause of Syria which says it believes in comprehensive peace."
He also expressed rejection of the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories and the siege imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip, warning of a humanitarian disaster there.
Miliband added that the only way to a comprehensive peace is through politics, saying Syria could help solve the conflicts between Israel and the Palestinians.
Muallem said talks between President Assad and Miliband laid a solid basis for future partnership between Syria and Britain, adding that the dialogue between Syria and Britain to improve bilateral ties began 18 months ago.
On Syria's relationship with the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah and the Islamic Hamas movement, Muallem said the question could be answered when a just and comprehensive peace is achieved.
"We cannot jump to conclusions with the land still under occupation," he said.
Muallem said Syria wanted to take advantage of the good ties that the West had with Israel in order to achieve peace in the region.
Miliband is Britain's first high-level official who paid a visit to Syria since the 2005 murder in Beirut of Lebanon's former Premier Rafik Hariri in which Damascus has denied charges of involvement.