Mizrahi
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Syrian President Bashar Assad
Photo: AFP
Syria wants talks, security official says
Head of National Security Council Ilan Mizrahi tells Knesset that Damascus interested in restarting peace process in order to improve its standing in international community
"Syria's call for a renewal of the peace process is genuine," head of the National Security Council Ilan Mizrahi told the Knesset Monday.
However, Mizrahi noted that it was not clear whether Syria was interested in peace, or only in a peace process that would serve its interests in the international arena.
"On the one hand, Syria deepens its commitment to Iran and to terror, and on the other hand it seemingly supports the peace process, in order to receive immediate dividends," he explained.
"They are showing interest in peace, but their true intentions need to be thoroughly examined," a senior official at the NSC added.
Referring to Syria's ally Iran, Mizrahi said that despite the Islamic republic's powerful and threatening image, it was weak and plagued with internal strife.
In recent interviews to the foreign press, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stated that he felt committed to examining the Syrian option.
Israel's Ambassador to Washington Sallai Meridor said last week that Syria was amassing forces on the Golan Heights border.
Meridor said Israel had tried to make it clear that Israel had no "offensive intentions" toward Syria, but added the Israeli government was working to make sure it was not surprised or unprepared if attacked.
