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Last update - 15:14 16/07/2008 Turkish FM: Israel, Syria show will for peace, to hold 4th round of indirect talks By The Associated Press Tags: peace process, Israel, Syria  Israel and Syria both have the political will to end tensions between them and will hold a fourth round of indirect talks soon, Turkey's foreign minister said Wednesday. Ali Babacan told Turkey's private NTV television that his country would mediate those talks in Istanbul in the coming weeks but refused to disclose the exact date, citing security concerns. "Both sides have the political will for a solution," Babacan said. "There is hope. We wouldn't have engaged in the negotiations if there weren't." Advertisement Turkish mediators have been shuttling between the Israeli and Syria negotiators through three previous rounds of indirect talks since May. The talks have been conducted in secret in Istanbul and results have not been made public. Babacan said Turkey is trying to get both sides to meet in person. The Israeli and Syrian delegations are staying in separate hotels in the city, he said. "The sides do not want to meet face to face until they have reached a certain level," Babacan said. Syrian President Bashar Assad said last week the talks could move toward direct contact but suggested that would not happen until current U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office. A new U.S. president will be elected in November and take office in January 2009. Turkey enjoys close ties to both Israel and Syria. A predominantly Muslim country that is vying for European Union membership, Turkey has been carving itself a role as mediator in the Middle East. Babacan said he hoped the peace overtures would lead to solutions to other tensions, including peace between Israel and Lebanon. Syria demands that Israel return the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel has previously agreed in principle, but the two sides could not agree on a final border or terms of peaceful relations. Previous peace talks between Syria and Israel broke down in 2000. Related articles: Assad: Direct talks with Israel only after Bush leaves office VIDEO: How Olmert and Assad dodged an unwanted Paris handshake ANALYSIS / At Paris summit, Assad has all the answers to Mideast conflict Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hezbollah abduction How the Lebanese militia captured two IDF reservists in 2006, illustrated in pictures. Kuntar's crimes Israeli YouTube video details the 1979 terror attack perpetrated by Samir Kuntar.   1.   THE LIARS WILL CONTINUE THEIR LIES OF PEACE FOR PIECE AND WEAK 16:30  |  glenna 16/07/08   2.   NOT WITH OLMERT! Assad has enough sense. 18:07  |  evangelica 16/07/08   3.   The Golan ? The security insurance of Israel. 20:57  |  Jean Van Daem 16/07/08   4.   Turkey`s efforts are appreciated but forget Lebanon 22:26  |  Conroy 16/07/08   5.   #3 - Golan military value will be maintained for Israel 01:10  |  Pablo B 17/07/08

Read & React Zvi Bar'el: It took 2 years, but Nasrallah kept promise to free Kuntar Responses: 24 Report: U.S. to station diplomats in Iran for first time since 1979 Responses: 20 Goldwasser's widow: Our journey has ended today Responses: 19 Olmert's team now questioning Talansky over 'cash envelopes' Responses: 6 Ex-envoy to South Africa: Calling Israel apartheid insults victims of that regime Responses: 10 Rosner's Domain Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? Talansky threatened to use a bomb - a long time ago (WTR) The new 'Obama advisor' problem: Senator Chuck Hagel Attacking Iran to get the world's attention? More Headlines 12:51 Goldwasser's widow: Our journey has ended today 11:41 After two arduous years, Karnit Goldwasser's crusade is over 12:48 Talansky tells Olmert lawyers: I did not lie to prosecutors 12:03 Report: U.S. to station diplomats in Iran for first time since 1979 08:23 After swap, Israel fears Hezbollah will escalate tensions in North 08:12 Woman who inherited Kafka writings refuses to dispel manuscripts mystery 10:11 Amman gunman wounds Israeli, 5 others before shooting self 09:50 ANALYSIS / It took 2 years, but Nasrallah kept promise to free Kuntar 11:17 Former MI head under investigation for disclosing state secrets 02:56 Outside the Regev home, family and neighbors share the sorrow 08:44 Top MK: Public pressure on abductees forced decision makers' hands 23:06 Veteran Mideast journalist Eric Silver dies aged 73 Previous Editions Select Day 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul

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