U.S. Democratic Senator Bill Nelson said Thursday that he had a "sharp exchange of words" with Syrian President Bashar Assad over the international tribunal and the need to support Lebanese Prime Minster Fouad Siniora.Nelson, who is a member of the powerful foreign relations and armed services committees, made his remarks after meeting Siniora at the Grand Serail. He was in Damascus Wednesday on a one-day visit during which he held talks with Assad.
Nelson is the first U.S. lawmaker to visit Syria since January 2005. Syria has been under U.S. sanctions since May 2005 because of its alleged support of terrorism and its role in Lebanese affairs.