This is a question that President Bashar al-Assad has presented to the party leadership," Syrian Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam said.
"The party is studying the issue of developing its political thinking," Khaddam told reporters at a Baath party conference. It was not immediately clear how far the remarks signalled significant change in Syria's tightly controlled political system.
Ruled by a rival wing of the Baath party that was toppled from power in Iraq, Syria is under U.S. pressure over support for Lebanon's Hizbollah guerrilla group and militant Palestinian factions opposed to peace with Israel.
Damascus also faces U.S. accusations that it allows militants to cross its borders to attack American troops in Iraq. Syria denies the assertion. Khaddam did not say how the party might change, adding "there will not be a change in the principles, if we change the principles we would be changing SABP and this is not an option at all."
"The principles of SABP will remain unchanged -- (Arab) unity, freedom, and socialism -- but the manifestation of these principles in one stage is different from another based on its factors," he added. He acknowledged that regional and international developments required the party to adapt.
The U.S. Senate has passed a bill to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions on Syria for backing anti-Israeli militants and maintaining a military presence in neighbouring Lebanon.
The bill has yet to be signed by President George W. Bush, who has the authority to waive some of the measures. Syria said earlier this month its relations with Washington had reached their lowest point in years because of U.S. pressure over Iraq.