DAMASCUS, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- A visiting European Parliament official on Sunday rejected any attack that is targeting innocent civilians, considering that it is "unacceptable work and can not be justified under any pretext."

    Veronique De Keyser, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in the European Parliament, made the remarks in a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the official SANA news agency reported.

    Her remarks came days after eight Syrian civilians were killed in a U.S. cross-border helicopters attack in al-Sukkariah village in Abu Kamal near the border with Iraq.

    The U.S. State Department and White House have made no confirmation or denial to the incident, refusing to comment on the attack.

    But U.S. officials have explained that the raid killed a top operative of al-Qaida in Iraq who intelligence suggested was about to conduct an attack in Iraq.

    Meanwhile, De Keyser expressed support to the indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel mediated by Turkey for reaching a just and comprehensive peace agreement in the region.

    Syria and Israel have conducted four rounds of indirect peace talks under the auspices of Turkey since May. But a fifth round had been postponed twice due to the volatile internal politics in Israel.

    The key issue between the two neighbors is the strategic Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War and annexed in 1981, a move not recognized by the international community.

    De Keyser also affirmed support for signing a partnership agreement between Syria and the European Union (EU), especially in light of the pivotal role played by Syria and the EU's desire to strengthen its role in the region in enhancing security and stability, SANA said.

    Assad welcomed the return of Europe's active role, stressing that Europe understands more of the Arab causes due to geographic and historical factors and can play a balanced role that serves stability in the region, SANA said.