Syria has given the United States information in the fight against terrorism that helped save American lives, Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara said today.
"I am not going to confirm anything related to security, but I can confirm the substance of reports that we have helped save American lives," Mr Shara said when asked at a news conference about the reported arrest in Syria of a man suspected of helping to plan September 11 attacks on the United States: "We are against terrorism."
Heading off US charges that Syria sponsors terrorist groups opposed to Israel, Mr Shara said: "The Americans know very well that we distinguish between terrorists such as al-Qaeda and resistance groups in Israeli-occupied territory."
A senior US State Department official said on Tuesday at a congressional hearing in Washington that Syria had provided information about al-Qaeda, led by the Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden, alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks.
"It is true that the co-operation the Syrians have provided, in their own self-interest, on al-Qaeda, has saved American lives," US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs William Burns said.
Neither Mr Burns nor Mr Shara made any comment on a German television report that Mohammed Zammar, 41, a German citizen of Syrian origin, has been held in a Syrian prison for months.
Zammar is believed to have recruited Mohammed Atta, the alleged ringleader of 19 men involved in the September 11 attacks.
AFP