Syria : The State Department says Syrian authorities were told of the planned attack . The Syrian town of Hama has been wracked with violence . ` For him to go personally at this time and stand with the people of Hama , I think expresses in physical terms -- not to mention political terms -- our view that the people of Hama have the right to express themselves peacefully and that we are concerned about the posture that the security forces have taken , '' Nuland said , adding that Ford plans to stay through protests planned on Friday . The U.S. ambassador to Syria visited the town Thursday . State Department says it was to show its support for Syrians fighting for democracy .
Syria : The State Department says Syrian authorities were told of the planned attack . The Syrian town of Hama has been wracked with violence . The U.S. ambassador to Syria visited the town Thursday . State Department says it was to show its support for Syrians fighting for democracy .