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Last update - 23:51 10/07/2008 Assad: Olmert can't make commitments needed for peace By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press Tags: Assad, peace process, Syria  Syrian President Bashar Assad voiced doubt this week over Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's ability to lead indirect talks between Syria and Israel to an ultimate peace agreement. In interviews the Syrian president granted to several French media outlets, Assad said that Syria was not ruling out a deal with Israel, if Israel complies with Syrian demands, but that he did not believe that Olmert was capable of making such commitments. Assad's remarks were published in the French weekly news magazine L'Express. Asssad was interviewed by the French press ahead of his arrival this weekend for the Mediterranean Union summit to begin in Paris on Sunday. Advertisement The Syrian Website Cham Press reported Thursday that Assad planned to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during his visit in France, after years of tension between Syria and Egypt. Meanwhile Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on a Syrian mobile phone operator and a chain of duty free shops which they say are controlled by Rami Makhluf, Assad's cousin. The move freezes any U.S. assets that Syriatel and the Ramak duty free shops have and prohibits U.S. citizens from doing business with them. The administration led by U.S. President George W. Bush expanded sanctions against Syria this year to target individuals profiting from Syrian government corruption. It later designated Makhluf as a target. Adam Szubin, a Treasury Department official, says that Makhluf has used government contacts to enrich himself at the expense of the Syrian people. Related articles: Olmert: I can persuade U.S. to sponsor Israel-Syria talks Syrian FM: I wish Syria had Israel's nuclear arsenal Syria says 'premature' to talk of direct contact with Israel Bookmark to del.icio.us   Photoshopped launch Did Iran doctor an image of its provocative missile test launch? 'Hitler was a good boss' Nazi bodyguard describes the fuhrer's last moments in a Berlin bunker.   1.   nor can assad for syria, as he will shortly be killed. 01:28  |  frenz 11/07/08   2.   History tells the story 03:28  |  Middle Road 11/07/08   3.   I have more respect for Syria & Assad than for Israel and Olmert 04:31  |  american in NY 11/07/08   4.   #1 Friends like Frenz... 04:49  |  Maureen Ann 11/07/08   5.   #2 middle Road? 05:57  |  Alex 11/07/08   6.   WE CAN ONLY PRAY THESE HEADLINES COME TO PASS;NO PIECE;NO PIECE 18:00  |  glenna 11/07/08

Read & React Did Iran doctor an image of its missile test launch? Responses: 105 Hitler's bodyguard: The Fuhrer was a good boss Responses: 92 PM suspected of asking various bodies to fund same foreign trips Responses: 25 Ari Shavit: The real problem is America Responses: 63 H.A. Hellyer: Who speaks for Europe's Muslims? Responses: 34 Rosner's Domain Did Mossad chief Meir Dagan pay a visit to the White House? (WTR) Is the Arab love affair with Obama over? (WTR) On Iraq, Obama draws to the ground of reality Poll: The more religious the Jewish voter, the more pro-McCain More Headlines 20:25 Olmert suspected of defrauding state, charities to fund trips abroad 19:08 NRP Chairman: In a civilized country, Olmert would have resigned long ago 20:15 Olmert, Zaken, and Rishon Tours: A case of deja vu 20:25 Ron Arad's daughter: You can't declare him dead with no information 13:15 4 Israelis arrested for allegedly selling weapons to Palestinians 09:00 Arab state tells Israel it won't oppose Iran strike 12:03 Israeli wedding halls install credit card facilities for guests' gifts 14:06 Senior Iranian Ayatollah: Our missiles neither threat nor fake 12:53 Six people killed in separate car accidents overnight 18:55 Barak, IDF chief to discuss Iran with U.S. officials in Washington 15:40 ANALYSIS / Olmert can't recover from latest police interrogation 10:10 IDF officer, civilian wounded by Palestinian fire near Qalqilyah 10:02 Dollar up to NIS 3.378, day after BOI decides to buy $100m daily Previous Editions Select Day 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun

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