Report: Israeli, Syrian reps to meet again in early July

Newspaper published in Persian Gulf reports third round of talks aimed at completing discussion on issues raised in previous round. Diplomatic sources say several rounds of indirect talks possible before Damascus decides whether to launch official negotiations or halt talks

Roee Nahmias|Published: 06.30.08 , 10:31

Israel and Syria are preparing for a third round of indirect talks in Turkey, a newspaper published in the Persian Gulf reported Monday.

According to the report, the negotiations will be held at the beginning of July and are aimed at completing the discussion on the issues raised in the previous round of talks.

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Diplomatic sources told the newspaper that the Syrian side believes it is worthwhile continuing the negotiations, assuming Israel will present stances which may enable official negotiations in the near future.

The sources added that two or three additional rounds of indirect talks were possible, before Damascus decides whether to launch official negotiations or halt the talks completely, should Syria be convinced that Israel's only goal is to play for time.

Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa said in an interview with al-Jazeera television last week that the next step in negotiations with Israel could be face-to-face meetings.

"The negotiations currently taking place between Syria and Israel are exploratory negotiations, meant to prepare the sides for the possibility of moving on to direct talks," he said. He then qualified this statement by saying that the talks could proceed indirectly as well.

Israel and Syria concluded a second round of indirect peace talks about two weeks ago and agreed to continue the negotiations over the fate of the Golan Heights in July. Syria is demanding Israel return all of the water-rich plateau, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 war.

Israeli officials have repeatedly said a peace deal depends on Damascus distancing itself from Iran and severing ties with groups such as Hamas and Lebanon's Hizbullah.