US President Barack Obama Tuesday nominated career diplomat Robert Ford as the first US ambassador to Syria in five years, seeking to engage a US foe and energize his thwarted Middle East peace push. Ford will be the first US ambassador to Damascus since Washington recalled its envoy after Lebanon's former prime minister Rafiq Hariri was killed in February 2005 in a bombing blamed on Syria. “Ambassador Ford is a highly accomplished diplomat with many years of experience in the Middle East,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs. “His appointment represents President Obama's commitment to use engagement to advance US interests by improving communication with the Syrian government and people. “If confirmed by the Senate, Ambassador Ford will engage the Syrian government on how we can enhance relations, while addressing areas of ongoing concern.” But the nomination ignited a festering row with Republicans over Obama's signature policy of seeking to engage US foes. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the top Republican on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committee blasted the move as “reckless engagement” and a reward for a US enemy. Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad held security talks with America's highest-ranking career diplomat. Under secretary of State William Burns, the architect of a deal that helped rehabilitate Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi, met with Assad along with Daniel Benjamin, a senior US official.
