U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell is headed back to the Middle East this week, the State Department announced Friday, on a trip that could include a stop in Syria. “George Mitchell will be departing for the region beginning on Sunday. He first starts with a stop in Oslo, Norway, and then will travel to the region for talks with Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and Egyptian officials,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley at a press briefing Friday. “You will probably ask me, ‘What about Syria?' That is a possibility,” he said, adding “the arrangements for that are still being worked.” Crowley said Mitchell and his team have secured visas to visit Damascus, but are trying to resolve unspecified outstanding issues. Mitchell is not currently scheduled to visit Lebanon, but Crowley said a stop could be added. “The Lebanese have an important election coming up on Sunday. I wouldn't rule out a visit to Beirut,” he said.
