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Last update - 22:22 28/07/2008 Public figures attempting Syria talks outside official track, says Olmert By Shahar Ilan and Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service Tags: Assad, Hezbollah, Syria  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused "public figures in Israel" on Monday of circumventing the government and attempting to conduct informal contact with Syria. Olmert told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee "I hope this doesn't happen. We must only take the official track for [peace] negotiations," not specifying who he was referring to. Meanwhile, Israeli and Syrian negotiation teams were set to resume recently launched indirect talks in Turkey this week. Doctor Samir Taki, a senior official close to Syrian President Bashar Assad, said last week in Washington that a peace agreement between Israel and Syria could be achieved by the end of the year, but it would require U.S. involvement. Advertisement Taki told reporters that 95 percent of the security issues surrounding the peace deal had already been resolved. During the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee session, the prime minister also said that Hezbollah would likely not avenge what he called the "disappearance" of the Lebanese militia's second in command, Imad Mughniyah, because Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had "lost his confidence." Mughniyah was killed in a car bomb in Damascus earlier this year, and Hezbollah was quick to blame Israel for his death. Israel has denied any involvement in the assassination, but Hezbollah officials have vowed to retaliate against Israel for his death. Speaking before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday, Olmert said that Nasrallah had lost his confidence in his ability to anticipate Israel's moves following the Second Lebanon War, in which Hezbollah was surprised by the force of Israel's response to the kidnapping of two Israel Defense Forces reservists on Israel's northern border. Therefore, fearing a "disproportional" response on Israel's behalf, Nasrallah would likely refrain from retaliating, Olmert said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Calling it quits Beleaguered prime minister announces he will not run in Kadima party primaries. Obama's hunch Report: Obama 'gets the feeling' Israel to strike Iran if sanctions fail.   1.   The way to make sure Nasrallah does not 21:11  |  Jack 28/07/08   2.   noseroller is wetting his skirt 21:30  |  frenz 28/07/08   3.   nasrallah knows the next car bomb`s for him 21:44  |  michelle 28/07/08   4.   It`s all just an EXCUSE to put off the evil hour 22:11  |  Dolly 28/07/08   5.   Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had "lost his confidence." 23:00  |  Moshe lussini 28/07/08   6.   OLMERT ACKNOWLEDGES WAR CRIMES 23:06  |  JACKAL 28/07/08   7.   #6 huh? 23:58  |  Dan 28/07/08   8.   to #5 00:26  |  realist 29/07/08   9.   Oldemerde lis daring Nazrallah to strike 00:47  |  jewish doctor 29/07/08   10.   Moshe lussini @#5 00:55  |  Akiva P 29/07/08   11.   "Jackal" - TARGETING civilian populations is a war cime 01:50  |  Art Best 29/07/08   12.   i wonder which of his petty rivals... 03:14  |  eric 29/07/08   13.   Nassarallah War Criminal Will Act On Iran Orders 03:21  |  Joseph.E 29/07/08   14.   hezballah is stronger than ever 05:37  |  the Lebanese 31/07/08

Read & React Abbas vows to dismantle PA if Israel frees Hamas prisoners for Shalit Responses: 222 Palestinian boy, 11, killed during protest at West Bank fence Responses: 282 Haaretz TV: Hamas summer camp teaches Gaza kids to hate and kill Responses: 156 Barak: U.S. to provide Israel with defense systems against Iran strike Responses: 97 Olmert: I'll quit once new Kadima leader chosen Responses: 74 Rosner's Domain Lieberman seen as good veep choice (WTR) What American Jews believe (WTR) Barack Obama, the fashionable darling of the Israeli left The Lebanese are undercutting goodwill in Washington (WTR) More Headlines 04:40 Olmert: I'll quit as PM when Kadima picks new leader 02:54 Police: Olmert quitting because he knows we have him 04:41 ANALYSIS / Crushed and battered, Olmert finally broke 02:02 Peace talks to continue despite Olmert declaration, say PA and U.S 01:01 Report: Obama 'gets the feeling' Israel to strike Iran if sanctions fail 04:29 Hamas' Christian convert 04:00 Israeli defender Tal Ben-Haim signs with Manchester City FC 06:09 More and more yeshiva students choosing Torah over army 22:25 Background / Scandals linked to Olmert 03:35 Syrian envoy: Olmert exit could affect Israel talks 05:19 'The polluter pays', as ban on plastic bags passes first reading 18:05 State panel of inquiry to probe treatment of evacuated settlers 01:56 Palestinians: IDF troops wound 9 at boy's funeral in West Bank Previous Editions Select Day 30 jul 29 jul 28 jul 27 jul 25 jul 24 jul 23 jul 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul

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