Syria promised Arab leaders at an annual summit today to co-operate in ending a political crisis in Lebanon.
The conciliatory language offered some relief from the tensions that have built up during preparations for the two-day meeting, which key pro-US leaders have refused to attend in protest at Damscus's influence in Lebanon.
The Beirut government is boycotting the summit while Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan have sent low-level delegations reflecting their suspicion pro-Syrians in Lebanon are obstructing the election of a new president.
Only 11 heads of state from the Arab League's 22 members were present at the opening.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad dismissed accusations that his country was behind the deadlock which has led to political stasis in the country.
"We in Syria are fully prepared to co-operate with Arab or non-Arab efforts ... on condition that they are based on Lebanese national consensus, the basis for stability in Lebanon," Mr Assad said in his opening speech as summit host.
The conflict over Lebanon is part of the wider struggle for regional influence between the United States and Syria's ally Iran.
At a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal denied that Arab countries were trying to isolate Syria.
"The problem is that what was decided unanimously in the Arab League, including by Syria, is not being carried out," he said.
Arab foreign ministers in January approved an outline of a deal for Lebanon, including the election of army chief Michel Suleiman as the new president.
But the Beirut government, backed by the US and Saudi Arabia, and the opposition differ over the interpretation of other aspects of the Arab plan, especially whether the opposition should have veto power over cabinet decisions.
Prince Saud added: "We hope the summit will be able to resolve the Lebanon crisis based on the initiative of the Arab League."