American Jewish leader Malcolm Hoenlein visited Damascus for talks last month with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad about humanitarian issues.
Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of American Jewish Organizations, told the political journalism organization Politico that he went to Damascus about 10 days ago "not as a negotiator or a mediator" but to "have discussions about humanitarian issues".
"I am for four decades involved in humanitarian issues and concerns, and we held discussions about humanitarian issues," Hoenlein said, declining to confirm whether among the issues discussed was Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who is being held hostage by Hamas.
"People know my word is my word and I am not discussing what we talked about," Hoenlein said.
Roslyn Singer, representing Hoenlein, confirmed the meeting took place.
"Mr. Hoenlein did meet recently with Syrian President Assad, but we have not issued any statements about his visit," Singer told AFP in an email.
Hoenlein told Israel's Haaretz newspaper that he went to Damascus after being invited there by the Syrian presidential palace.
The Jewish leader said he did not travel there as a messenger of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or as a mediator between Israel and Syria.
"I went to Damascus on an important humanitarian issue to the Jewish people," Hoenlein was quoted as saying. "Netanyahu did not ask anything from me and any attempt to link me to the diplomatic process with Syria is manipulation."
Israel Channel 10 reported that Netanyahu had sent Hoenlein as an emissary to Damascus.
"Syria is very complicated place and an important country in region, and it’s important to see what can be done in the future,” Hoenlein said.
"I meet with a number of Arab leaders, if they trust you, they talk to you. I don’t hide my agenda or what I am or what I believe."
US President Barack Obama announced last week that he was recess-appointing American diplomat Robert S. Ford to serve as U.S. ambassador in Syria. Ford will be the first U.S. ambassador in Damascus since 2005.