CAIRO, Egypt - Syria's vice president said Tuesday that dialogue with Washington has gotten off at a positive start, speaking following a weekend meeting that involved US and Syrian officials in Iraq.

Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa talks to the press in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, March 13, 2007. [AP]

The dialogue with the United States "is just a beginning. We can't predict where and how it will end," Farouk Al-Sharaa told reporters in Cairo. "We hope that the coming steps will be as positive as the beginning."

Al-Sharaa's comments, made after he met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, follow an international conference was held in Baghdad that brought together Syrian, Iranian and US delegates to discuss security in Iraq.

On Monday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad voiced similar sentiments after speaking with US Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey in Damascus, saying that Syria was willing to engage in "serious" dialogue with Washington on all Mideast issues.

Al-Sharaa said Syria does not want to put a lot of emphasis on the Baghdad meeting but also should not ignore it. He said developing improving ties between Syria and the US would need a "deep dialogue over a long period for it to eliminate mutual suspicions."

Syria has frequently called for dialogue with the US, but President Bush had previously rejected any direct talks with officials from Syria and Iran, accusing both of them of supporting an influx of foreign fighters into Iraq. Both countries have repeatedly denied the charges.

US-Syrian relations have also been strained in recent years because of Damascus' support for Palestinian militant groups and the Lebanese Hezbollah. The US withdrew its ambassador from Syria to protest the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which many Lebanese blame on Damascus. Syria has denied being involved.