'Israel and Syria engaged in secret talks'
Jerusalem denies reports of secret talks between Israel and Syria; Jordan set to announce new peace initiative at Arab summit
TEL AVIV - Israel and Syria are engaged in covert talks in Amman reported Ilaf, an Arabic news and Internet site operating in London.
According to the report, the new Syrian ambassador to Amman, General Ali Hamoud is overseeing the talks on the Syrian side.
Talks on the Israeli side, according to the report, are being conducted by Israeli ambassador to Jordan Yaacov Hadas under the auspices of the Jordanian government.
The foreign ministry in Jerusalem was quick to deny the report Friday.
According to Ilaf, talks began after Syrian President Bashar Assad visited Jordan at the beginning of the month. The visit was aimed at entering advanced negotiations within the next few months in a bid to reach a peace agreement.
This is not the first time such reports have bee made, and so far it has not been confirmed by any other source.
Meanwhile, newly appointed Jordanian ambassador to Israel Maaruf al-Bakhit said his country has decided to announce a new initiative in coordination with the Arab states in a bid to bring about peace between Israel and Syria.
He alluded that the Jordanian government is likely to make the announcement after the Arab summit, which is scheduled to convene in Algiers next month.
