DAMASCUS - Syrian President Hafez al Assad yesterday condemned the deadly bomb attack in Atlanta's Centennial Park in a message to President Clinton, saying the blast was a crime.

SANA news agency said President Assad voiced his regrets after news of the attack in the Olympic city of Atlanta, and said Syria condemned "this crime and all terrorist attacks".

Mr Assad also told Mr Clinton he was saddened for the victims' fate and wished those hurt a rapid convalescence, the agency added.

Damascus has denied backing terrorist organisations in spite of the fact that Washington put Syria on a list of countries suspected of supporting terrorism. The list also includes Iran, Iraq and Sudan.