Doha, Sha'ban 11, 1435, Jun 9, 2014, SPA -- A U.S. senior state department official lauded in a speech in Doha today the strategic cooperation between the United States and the member countries of the Riyadh-based Gulf Cooperation Council. In a speech at the opening session of the U.S. and Islamic World Forum in Doha, Anne Patterson, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for near east affairs, said the U.S. would not be involved in any other war in the region, particularly that it is currently serving as commander of the NATO and is committed to defend its allies, adding that it is still the world's leading country with the biggest defense budget. She added that defense cooperation between the United States and the region's countries is more stronger than before and increased more and more in the recent years, noting that the United States is committed to continue enhancing the military capabilities in the region and that the economic and social participation will be the cornerstone of its relations in the Middle East. On the Syrian issue, the U.S. official said the United States is committed to provide support for moderate opposition groups in Syria, accusing Al-Assad regime of offering new chances to terrorists in the region. She confirmed that Al-Assad regime will not be able to wipe out the civil uprising through using oppression and autocracy and that the United States will continue working with the friends of Syria to achieve converting Syria towards democracy. On the peace negotiations, she said the U.S. is exerting great efforts to support the stalemated negotiations, calling on the countries in the region to work together for reaching a solution, and noting that her country will not give up the notion of a constant and fair peace in the region. --SPA 21:52 LOCAL TIME 18:52 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w