'Shaaban: I think the presence of Barack Obama has changed everything in the world, whether consciously or unconsciously. I think everybody feels more optimistic, more hopeful now that President Obama is speaking about dialogue and not preemptive strikes as the previous administration. Most importantly, he works on the basis of respect, I think this is what the Arabs need most.
ABC News: Will Syria's relationships with Hezbollah and Hamas evolve as its relations with the U.S. evolve?
Shaaban: Hamas and Hezbollah are two resistance groups. They are there because of the Israeli occupation. This is a result, not a cause. You need to remove the cause, which is the occupation, and then naturally you'd deal with the result.
ABC News: So there's no reason Syria's support for those groups would change?
Shaaban: No.
ABC News: Syria is being talked of in terms of strategic realignment, moving away from Iran as it broadens its ties in the region and ties with the West. Would that happen? What do you see as Syria's direction?
Shaaban: Syria has historic relations with Iran. It is an important neighbor and our relation with Iran is good for us, just as our relation with Turkey is good for us. I don't think anybody can put a condition on us that you have to have this relationship with this country or that country. Imagine we say to Israel you can't negotiate with us unless you give up your relation with the United States. [During the Iran-Iraq War] we stood with Iran against Saddam Hussein when the U.S. supported him. We were right, [America] was wrong. Who says we're not right again?"
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