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Last update - 03:35 31/07/2008 Syrian envoy: Olmert exit could affect Israel talks By Reuters Tags: Syria, Israel, Turkey Syria's ambassador to the United Nations said on Wednesday the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could affect Syria's indirect peace talks with its arch foe Israel. Asked if Olmert's announcement could have an impact on the talks, which have been brokered by Turkey, Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar Ja'afari told Reuters: "It could do. I hope not." Earlier on Wednesday, a fresh round of indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria, mediated by Turkey, ended and a fifth round is due next month, a senior source close to the talks told Reuters. Israel and Syria launched the talks in May but have not yet agreed to hold face-to-face negotiations. Advertisement "The fourth round has ended. It was positive. The fifth round will be in mid-August, and again indirect," the senior source close to the talks told Reuters. The talks took place at an undisclosed location in Istanbul. The source said he expected a sixth round in September, but did not specify whether that round would be face-to-face. "When the process moves to direct talks it means we are very close to a solution," the source said. Negotiations centre on the fate of the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war. Damascus demands the return of all the Golan. Israel, in turn, wants Syria to scale back ties with the Jewish state's main foes - Iran, the Palestinian group Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. Syria has so far refused to do so. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called on Damascus on Tuesday to break with Iran in favor of a broader peace. He also described the fresh round of Israeli-Syrian talks as "serious and practical." Related articles: Olmert: Syria must choose between peace and isolation Jerusalem officials: Syria taking talks with Israel seriously Public figures attempting Syria talks outside official track, says Olmert 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.   Turkey should start talks on returning Alexandretta to Syria 17:10  |  Absolute Sweden 30/07/08   2.   #1 - how about some history 17:46  |  David 30/07/08   3.   #2,What about stopping copying Wikipedia 22:12  |  Absolute Sweden 30/07/08   4.   ANY ISR-SYRIA DEAL MUST BE BASED ON HATAY MODEL 22:51  |  G Marcus 30/07/08   5.   OLMERT STOP THE MADDNESS 00:28  |  Dale 31/07/08   6.   Throw it all in a trash can. New leadership will end talks AGAIN 01:57  |  Pablo B 31/07/08   7.   Absolute Sweden 06:51  |  Absolute Canadian 31/07/08   8.   #3 How about stating the obvious, Absolute Sweden? 08:39  |  Johnboy 31/07/08   9.   90 years of talks about talks and no walks 10:42  |  victor hardman 31/07/08

Read & React Olmert: I'll quit once new Kadima leader chosen Responses: 93 ANALYSIS / Crushed and battered, Olmert finally broke Responses: 27 Gideon Levy: Top IDF officer should be tried for mass killing, not petty ATV incident Responses: 4 Hamas' Christian convert: I've left a society that sanctifies terror Responses: 37 Akiva Eldar: Olmert's greatest crime was neglect of the Arab Peace Initiative Responses: 4 Rosner's Domain Should the U.S. invade Darfur? Lieberman seen as good veep choice (WTR) What American Jews believe (WTR) Barack Obama, the fashionable darling of the Israeli left More Headlines 10:35 Olmert to step down in September, vows to push for peace first 10:43 Netanyahu calls for elections to end government's 'total failure' 02:54 Police: Olmert quitting because he knows we have him 04:41 ANALYSIS / Crushed and battered, Olmert finally broke 08:43 Hamas' Christian convert: I've left a society that sanctifies terror 10:36 Palestinian athletes overcome hurdles on their way to Olympics 09:20 More and more yeshiva students choose Torah over IDF 08:35 Hamas releases abducted German TV cameraman 09:33 Peace talks to continue despite Olmert declaration, say PA and U.S. 09:31 Cop wounded while arresting reputed mobsters near Ashkelon 01:01 Report: Obama 'gets the feeling' Israel to strike Iran if sanctions fail 04:00 Israeli defender Tal Ben-Haim signs with Manchester City FC 06:47 Despite Gaza truce, Sderot swimming pool stays closed 08:36 'The polluter pays,' as ban on plastic bags passes first reading 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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