Israeli official: Syria ready to sever ties with Iran
Former Foreign Ministry director-general involved in indirect talks between Israel, Syria says President Assad willing to break off close links with Tehran if US gives his country financial, military backing
Syria is ready to break off its close links with Iran if the United States gives it financial and military backing, former Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Liel has told The Sunday Telegraph.
Liel said that progress has been made in the unofficial talks between Jerusalem and Damascus, but that long months of negotiations may still be ahead.
Liel said the prospect of a peace agreement with Syria was growing, though it might require a new American president before a deal could be agreed.
"They are asking not only for the Golan Heights but a change in Washington that will break the Syrian isolation internationally," he said. "But I also think they will not do it unless they are assured they have an alternative to Iran."
Assad and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are both expected to attend a conference of Mediterranean nations in France next weekend. Although the two leaders are expected to sit at the same table, they are not scheduled to hold a meeting.
"I don't think it matters. What is more important is that these discussions are going on," The Sunday Telegraph quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel as saying.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mouallem said such a meeting would be "premature" but has not ruled it out.
'Golan Heights considered Israel's Tuscany'
Liel said "months" of negotiation still lie ahead to overcome the gaps between the two sides.
"The Golan Heights is considered our Tuscany. Israelis fell in love with the Golan - and it's a very easy conflict for us. That's why it's so difficult to convince Israel to withdraw," he noted.
The London-based Arabic-language al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported over the weekend that the third round of talks between Israel and Syria, which took place in Turkey this week, dealt with issues both sides consider fundamental: An Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights and Damascus' ties with Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas.
An Israeli source associated with the delegation told the paper that the talks were held in a serious and positive atmosphere, despite the deep gaps between the two parties. According to the report, the sides agreed on dates for three additional rounds of talks in July and August.
