Syria is blaming the United States for the failure of this week’s Arab summit slated for Damascus to live up to expectations. Egypt and Jordan, both considered to be American allies, have joined the list of Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, in announcing that only a low-level diplomat will attend the summit. Lebanon said it would stay away altogether. Although Damascus is pointing the finger at the U.S., most of the ill-will against Syria comes from the influence it exerts in Lebanon, where attempts to form a new government have been postponed for the 17th time as pro- and anti-Syrian parties face off. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem told the Beirut-based Daily Star that the United States was behind Lebanon‘s decision to boycott the summit. Those nations on the pro-U.S. side of the split share American distrust of Iranian influence in Syria and Lebanon.