US State Dept: "Turkey can play a very important role in the middle east peace"

US State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said on Monday that the US was pleased with Turkey's intermediation role between Israel and Syria. Asked about Foreign Minister Ali Babacan's visit to Washington, McCormack said that Babacan will meet with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice on Thursday. Asked about Turkey's role in the Middle East peace process, McCormack said, "Turkey can play a very important role," adding, "It's got a lot of influence. It's an important country. It has a lot of resources. And moreover, it can be a voice for � has been and can be a voice for peace in the region."