(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, July 17 (KUNA) -- The United States distanced itself from the air attacks launched by Israel on Syria's capital city of Damascus yesterday, saying it "unequivocally condemns" the recent violence between Arab Bedouin tribes and Druze gunmen in the southern Al-Suwayda province.
"All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialog that leads to a lasting ceasefire," State Dept. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a press briefing on Thursday.
"In a tweet this morning, Ambassador Tom Barrack, also, of course, our special envoy for Syria, said thankful to all sides for their break from chaos and confusion as we attempt to navigate all parties to a more durable and peaceful solution in Syria.
"Over the last 48 hours, the United States has led diplomatic efforts to promote real de-escalation and peace," she noted.
"As Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted yesterday, we have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria.
"We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight.
"This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do," the spokesperson pointed out.
"We are actively engaging all constituencies in Syria to navigate towards calm and continued discussions on integration and a stable, more prosperous future for all Syrians.
"To that end, we are calling on the Syrian government to lead in determining the path forward," she added.
Asked about Israel's military intervention in support of Syria's Druze, Bruce said, "The United States did not support recent Israeli strikes."
"We are engaging diplomatically with Israel and Syria at the highest levels, both to address the present crisis and reach a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states.
"President Trump has outlined his clear vision of a prosperous Middle East and stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors," she went on.
"Peace among neighbors, including Israel and Syria, is a critical component of this vision. So I won't speak to future conversations or past ones.
"What we're dealing with now is this particular episode what was required, and I think we've been very clear about our displeasure. Certainly, the president has and we've worked very quickly to have it stopped," Bruce added. (end)
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