LONDON — Britain and Syria today restored diplomatic relations, severed four years ago when Britain accused Syria of sponsoring terrorism, the two governments announced.

Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd told the House of Commons that Britain has received assurances from the Syrian government that it rejects acts of international terrorism and will take action against convicted terrorists.

A communique carried by the official Syrian Arab News Agency said the heads of interest sections in the respective capitals will be elevated to \o7 charge d'affaires.

\f7 The Syrian communique confirmed that the Damascus government renounced terrorism, but added: "Syria does not consider resistance against Israeli occupation as terrorism."