U.S. Sen. Kerry hopeful after Syria talks

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Kerry said after talks with Syria’s president Saturday that there are possibilities for “real cooperation” between the two nations, which have been at odds for years.

Relations soured under the Bush administration, and Kerry and other members of Congress who have come to the Syrian capital in the last week explored the possibilities for better relations after President Barack Obama signaled he wanted to talk to opponents.

Kerry told a small group of reporters he was encouraged by the “very long, candid, open” discussion with President Bashar Assad on Saturday and that he sees the possibility of progress ahead.

U.S.-Syrian relations have long been tense. Syria’s support for the militant organizations Hamas and Hezbollah has drawn the ire of Washington, which has also accused Syria of allowing foreign fighters to cross into Iraq. Syria, which staunchly opposed the 2003 invasion, insists it is doing all it can to safeguard its long, porous border.