Syria has described as absurd a US travel ban on Syrian officials, saying it indicates the failure of US policy in the Middle East.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem said the move to stop the Syrian officials from entering the US "did not need comment because of its absurdity."

"American statements against Syria only show the failure of American policy in the region ... especially in Iraq," he told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

US President George W. Bush on Friday banned 10 Syrian officials and Lebanese politicians, whom Washington accuses of undermining the Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, from entering the US.

The list of Syrian officials includes Assef Shawkat, Syria's director of military intelligence and brother-in-law of President Bashar al-Assad. It also included Hisham Ikhtiyar, adviser to Assad, and Brigadier General Jama'a Jama'a.

The US, a backer of the Siniora government, accuses Syria of undermining the Lebanese government.

Lebanese opposition parties, including factions allied to Damascus, have declared Siniora's government illegitimate. The opposition, including Hezbollah, are seeking veto power in government, a demand Siniora has refused to grant.