Syria reaches out for growth

By Stephen Starr DAMASCUS - Sitting in his plush new office in an up-market neighborhood of Damascus, deputy prime minister for economic affairs Abdullah Dardari - the man tipped to be named Syria's next prime minister - is adamant his country is beginning to move with the times. Until recently viewed as an international pariah, Syria has over the past few months achieved more positive exposure. The latest installment in the reclamation of Syria's reputation saw French President Nicholas Sarkozy visit Damascus in early September. Relations with Lebanon, which have long been a bone of contention for the international community in its dealings with Syria, have improved considerably since last May when Damascus backed the Doha Accord for Lebanese unity. Meanwhile, domestic reforms are putting new life into the country's economy,... [read full story]