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Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad
Photo: Reuters

Syria: Only direct talks to replace Turkish mediation

While Israeli PM Netanyahu prefers French mediators over Turks, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad says Damascus insists on Turkish arbitration before turn to direct talks with Israel

Syria is insisting on Turkish mediation in indirect peace negotiations with Israel, but when the talks turn direct, they will be under American sponsorship. In the future, new mediators such as France, Russia or Japan may also play a central role in talks.

 

This is Damascus' current stance, as presented by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Makdad, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported of a turn in Syrian President Bashar Assad's approach.

 

According to Netanyahu, French President Nicolas Sarkozy informed him that Assad is now ready to abandon any preconditions for talks with Israel, meaning demands that the Golan Heights be guaranteed in advance have been dropped.

 

Netanyahu also announced that he prefers French mediation over Turkish mediation.

 

Regarding the traditional demand for a complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights, according to the Syrian deputy minister, there has been no change.

 

"During the indirect talks under Turkish mediation," Makdad said, speaking at an academic debate on the "occupied Golan", "Syria has stressed the need for a retreat to the lines of June 4, 1967 and an end to the Israeli occupation."

 

'Support of Hezbollah, Hamas to continue'

According to Makdad, Israel cannot make peace as long as it is occupying territories, and anyone hoping for an end to support of Hezbollah or Hamas, will be disappointed.

 

"Syria will never abandon the options at its disposal and its support of the resistance organizations, which will continue as long as the occupation of Arab lands continues," Makdad said, calling for pressure on Israel to implement UN resolutions.

 

The deputy minister described the "divide and conquer" strategy Israel has been employing ever since the Camp David Accords. "They view the peace process as a means for the ongoing division of the Arab bloc."

 

Regarding ties with Washington, Makdad noted the new atmosphere and progress made in the matter ever since US President Barack Obama entered the White House.

 

"There were understandings, but they will not be implemented because America is busy with the economic crisis and health insurance – and also because of a few pro-Israel democratic senators," he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.08.09, 08:17
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