World News Syrians defend U.S. Embassy

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DAMASCUS (AP) — Syrian guards stopped an attempt by suspected al-Qaida-linked militants to blow up the U.S. Embassy here on Sept. 12.

The guards fought with gunmen who shouted, "God is great," and tried to get into the embassy with automatic weapons and hand grenades.

The attack, which left at least 10 civilians and a Chinese diplomat wounded, came during high tension between Washington and Damascus.

But the quick response by Syrian guards won rare praise from the United States, which accuses Syria of supporting terrorism by backing Hezbollah guerrillas and Palestinian militants.

"I do think that the Syrians reacted to this attack in a way that helped to secure our people, and we very much appreciate that," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said. No Americans were hurt.

But Syria responded with sharp criticism of the United States, blaming its policies in the Middle East for increasing Islamic militancy.

"It is regrettable that U.S. policies in the Middle East have fueled extremism, terrorism and anti-U.S. sentiment," the Syrian Embassy in Washington said. "The United States should ... start looking at the root causes of terrorism."

It curtly said that Syria "performed its duties" under the Geneva Conventions to protect the embassy.

シリアで米大使館襲撃

シリアの首都ダマスカスで12日、米国大使館が過激派に襲撃され、シリアの警備隊がそれを食い止めた。

Shukan ST: Sept. 22, 2006

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