US offers Syria deal to end isolation

The offer was described as a "Gaddafi deal" after the one clinched two years ago with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, whose regime was shunned after being blamed for the bombing of a passenger jet over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

Citing senior US and Arab officials, The Times newspaper said the latest deal -- which hinges on four key demands -- could save Syria from the threat of looming international sanctions.

It said the matter could be resolved as early as next week when a UN team investigating the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri is due to submit a report on its findings to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The report's findings are unknown, but The Times said it was widely expected to name senior figures in Syria's intelligence services as being involved.

"Assad is facing a tough time ahead and he had very few friends left," the daily quoted an anonymous, senior Arab diplomat as saying.

"He is desperately looking for a way out of this predicament."

Under the deal, The Times said Washington had four main requirements:

-- Syria must cooperate fully and adhere to any demands by the UN inquiry into Hariri's death.