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Peres to Russian FM: Israelis do not trust Syrian peace overtures By Barak Ravid , Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters President Shimon Peres yesterday told visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that "talk of peace from Syria arouses distrust within Israel," after Russian officials announced that Moscow would try to relaunch Israel-Syria peace talks at an upcoming Mideast summit, to be held in Moscow this year. According to Peres, Syria is continuing to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah, which has threatened to destroy Israel. Advertisement Lavrov said that peace in the Middle East will be possible only within the framework of a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and the solution of all internal issues between Israel and the Palestinians. "There is already a United Nations resolution, there is the road map and Russia is very interested in advancing the Annapolis process," Lavrov said. Lavrov also met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday and assured Israel's leaders that Russia's Middle East policy would remain the same under President Dmitry Medvedev. He was elected this month to replace Vladimir Putin, who will stay on as Russia's prime minister. Lavrov arrived in Israel yesterday after visiting Syria. after meeting Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, Lavrov announced the upcoming peace summit, and said "we have not issued invitations but we're working out how to incorporate different suggestions." He told reporters the conference would be a follow-up to last November's Annapolis summit that resumed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Lavrov had announced plans to host the next Middle East peace conference after the Annapolis talks. He said yesterday that everyone in Annapolis had agreed to the Moscow conference. Russia's foreign minister also met members of the exiled leadership of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Damascus before flying to Israel. Sergei Kirpichenko, Russia's ambassador to Syria, said Lavrov's meetings in Israel would try to nail down a more specific date for the conference. "We are definitely talking about holding it this year. The Israeli-Syrian peace track is guaranteed to be on the agenda. Syria is very interested and is making efforts for the conference to succeed," he said. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Syria would attend the Moscow meeting, although Israeli strikes against Gaza made it difficult for peace talks with Israel to resume. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Declassifying AIPAC Two former pro-Israel lobbyists charged with revealing secret info. to Israeli diplomats. Jersualem pilgrimage Christian pilgrims flock to Holy City to mark Good Friday and retrace the route of Jesus.

Today Online Bradley Burston: Macho U.S. Jews, pantywaist Israel Responses: 209 Jewish group seeks to purge YouTube of anti-Semitic videos Responses: 197 PM says worried Russian weapons will reach Hezbollah Responses: 107 Israel, Germany plan int'l summit to stop Iran nuke program Responses: 114 13-year-old boy wounded in terror attack near Hebron Responses: 104 Editorial: J'lem yeshiva massacre must not lead to boycott of Israeli Arabs Responses: 97 More Headlines 00:21 Hezbollah deputy chief says he has proof Israel killed Mughniyah 00:14 Cheney in J'lem: U.S. will never pressure Israel to take security risks 01:08 Palestinian sources: No breakthrough in Hamas-Fatah reconciliation bid 19:20 2 Qassams hit Israel as Egypt hosts Hamas, Jihad for truce talks 12:45 Body of Palestinian pulled from collapsed Egypt-Gaza tunnel 12:23 Police arrest 2 youths suspected of stoning cars on Wadi Ara road 01:25 Christian pilgrims flock to Jerusalem's Old City for Good Friday 09:16 Ex-prof with alleged terror ties refuses to testify in U.S. court 06:56 Umm al-Fahm resident shot to death outside her home 17:51 U.S. gov't to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial 01:18 Bank of Israel report: One in four Israelis over the age of 65 is poor 16:11 Israel, Russia finalize deal on supply of armored vehicles to PA Previous Editions Select Day 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar

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