Top dissident praises Syria-US talks

In a rare interview, Riad al-Turk, 79, said President Obama's initiative could also undermine an "unconvincing alliance" between Syria and Iran. Arrests of opposition figures continue, despite US-Syrian diplomatic contacts, but mending relations would make it difficult for Damascus to crush dissent, Turk said. "The rapprochement helps stabilize the Middle East and puts pressure on the Syrian regime to improve its policies," he said.

Turk spent around 18 years in solitary confinement as a political prisoner under President Bashar al-Assad's father, the late Hafez al-Assad.

"The regime would no longer be able to justify internal policy by talking about external dangers," said Turk.

The United States started talking to Syria shortly after Obama took office in January, departing from a policy of isolation under his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Bush imposed sanctions on Damascus for what Washington described as Syrian support for insurgents in Iraq, its role in Lebanon, and backing for militant groups such as Hezbollah - also supported by Iran. The United States hopes that by talking to Syria and supporting efforts to resume peace talks between the Damascus government and Israel, Assad will break away from Iran.

Turk remains the leading opponent of the Ba'ath Party's political monopoly in Syria.