Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Walid al-Moalem also called on the United States to start a dialogue with Damascus to resolve long-running tensions between the two countries.

"I assure you that we don't have any ... security individuals, or military individuals. We have Syrians who are visiting Lebanon because 30 percent of the families of those countries are related," Moalem told Reuters on the sidelines of a Group of 77 summit of developing countries in Qatar.

"Now, if you consider pressure or not, we fulfilled what was concerning Syria on Security Council Resolution 1559. Because we need to give a message to the Security Council, to the UN, that only through fulfilling Security Council resolutions can stability in the region be achieved," he said.

The United Nations is checking reports Syria may still have intelligence agents in Lebanon. Damascus pulled out its 14,000 troops from Lebanon in April, bowing to world pressure after the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

Tensions between Syria and the United States have risen recently over Syria's role in Lebanon and US accusations that Damascus supports anti-Israeli groups and fails to keep anti-American insurgents from crossing into Iraq.

Asked if Syria believed it could satisfy Washington's demands, Moalem said: "It's up to them, nobody can predict what they want ... We have no dialogue with them - they have their own policies, we have our own.

"What we say is the only civilised way is to tackle this gulf that exists between Syria and the United States through dialogue between two equal states and for mutual interest."

The United States has kept up pressure on Damascus since Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon.

"We are ready, but you need two to dance," Moalem said, commenting on whether Damascus was prepared to boost ties with Washington. (Reuters)