Reacting to pressure from British diplomats, the new national government is expected to review its policy toward Syria following general elections Thursday, the Financial Times reported. But a Foreign Office official cautioned Tuesday against expecting a rapid policy change.
Britain broke off ties with Syria last October after Nezar Hindawi, a Jordanian national with a Syrian passport was convicted of trying to blow up an Israeli airliner here apparently with Syrian encouragement.
Several reasons were advanced for reconsidering the issue. They included mounting pressure from other West European countries for a softening of Britain’s line, which has led to a suspension of European Community aid to Syria.
Isolation of Syria was also questioned since Syria is a potential participant in a future Middle East peace conference and it was pointed out that Syria had reportedly shut down the Damascus headquarters of the Abu Nidal terrorist group.
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