Defense Minister Ehud Barak
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Barak: Israel strives for peace; Syria must act responsibly
Defense minister comments on Assad statement showing willingness to resume peace talks with Jerusalem
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Wednesday that "peace with Syria is a central ingredient in any regional peace deal.
"Israel will continue to seek ways to realize peace with Syria, but Syria and elements in Hezbollah must act responsibly in order to lessen the chances of regional escalation," he said.
Barak was commenting on an earlier statement by Syrian President Bashar Assad, who said that Damascus was willing to resume peace talks with Israel.
Assad also urged increased European involvement in the Israeli-Syrian peace process, saying a third party is needed to broker the negotiations.
Israel is waiting for the United Nation's quarterly report on Lebanon. The brief is said to review the various Lebanese infringements of UN Resolution 1701, which effectively ended the Second Lebanon War.
Yitzhak Benhorin in Washington contributed to this report
