United States Embassies Syria

The U.S. ambassador to Syria returned to Damascus after a 10-month absence. William L. Eagleton Jr. was withdrawn last October after Britain broke relations with Syria over alleged Syrian involvement in a plot to blow up an Israeli airliner flying from London. In November, the United States imposed sanctions on Syria but last summer--in a move seen as recognition of Syria's key role in the Mideast--dispatched a presidential envoy for talks on improving relations.

As Israelis and Palestinians battled Friday for a ninth day in a row, angry crowds took to the streets in Arab and Islamic nations to protest what they are calling "the Jerusalem war." Riot police fired tear gas to disperse crowds marching on the Israeli Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria. Egyptian police sought to stave off violence here by corralling furious demonstrators at the Al Azhar mosque after noon prayers.

As Israelis and Palestinians battled Friday for a ninth day in a row, angry crowds took to the streets in Arab and Islamic nations to protest what they are calling "the Jerusalem war." Riot police fired tear gas to disperse crowds marching on the Israeli Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria. Egyptian police sought to stave off violence here by corralling furious demonstrators at the Al Azhar mosque after noon prayers.

It had been a sleepless night, as was the night before, as would be the two nights after. Edward P. Djerejian, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, was operating on catnaps when, after a long afternoon of anxious waiting, Robert Polhill walked in. For Polhill, it was the end of more than three years as a hostage in Lebanon.

It had been a sleepless night, as was the night before, as would be the two nights after. Edward P. Djerejian, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, was operating on catnaps when, after a long afternoon of anxious waiting, Robert Polhill walked in. For Polhill, it was the end of more than three years as a hostage in Lebanon.

A State Department spokeswoman said Friday that United States embassies in Syria and Lebanon are inquiring into the June 29 disappearance of a Mission Viejo businessman who was traveling from Beirut to Damascus, but so far there is no clue to his whereabouts. Faik Z.

The U.S. ambassador to Syria returned to Damascus after a 10-month absence. William L. Eagleton Jr. was withdrawn last October after Britain broke relations with Syria over alleged Syrian involvement in a plot to blow up an Israeli airliner flying from London. In November, the United States imposed sanctions on Syria but last summer--in a move seen as recognition of Syria's key role in the Mideast--dispatched a presidential envoy for talks on improving relations.