Syria and the United States on Saturday agreed to continue dialogue and consultation over issues of mutual interests, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs William Burns and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Peter Rodman means of finding proper mechanism to realize dialogue and consultation.

They talked about situations in the region, particularly in Iraq and the peace process in the Middle East.

Assad stressed Syria's support to the Iraqi people to preserve their national unity and restore independence, security and stability.

Terrorism and the international cooperation for fighting it were also highlighted during the meeting.

Burns is the first senior US official to visit Damascus in more than a year.

He was reportedly to deliver a strong message to the Syrian leader, calling for Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon and stop its interference in Lebanon's internal affairs.

Washington imposed sanctions on Damascus in May, accusing Syria of supporting terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction.

Syria, the major power broker in Lebanon, intervened in the country's civil war in 1976 and has about 16,000 troops stationed there at the moment.