US sending team to Syria to examine embassy attack

WASHINGTON: The United States is sending a team of federal agents to Syria to investigate a failed attack on the US Embassy in Damascus, a State Department spokeswoman said on Tuesday.   

Four Syrians tried to blow up the embassy on Sept 12 but their plot was foiled after Syrian guards killed three of the assailants in a shootout. The fourth man later died of his wounds.   

"The regional security officer at the American embassy in Damascus is working closely with the Syrian officials that will facilitate the investigation," State Department spokeswoman Nancy Beck said.   

"A joint FBI and Bureau of Diplomatic Security team will travel to the post to assist further with the investigation," Beck said, adding that the State Department was satisfied with the level of Syrian cooperation in the investigation.   

Relations between the United States and Syria have long been strained. The United States has designated Syria as a "state sponsor of terrorism" because of its support for Hizbollah and Palestinian militant groups.