Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., May 26, 2008 Iyyar 21, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:46 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar. (AP) Last update - 20:28 25/05/2008 Iranian defense minister hails 'strategic ties' with Syria By Reuters Tags: syria, Israel, hezbollah  Iran's defense minister hailed his country's "strategic ties" with Syria on Sunday, just days after Israel called on Damascus to distance itself from Tehran, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. Israel and Syria on Wednesday announced they had begun an open dialogue with the aim of a comprehensive peace, the first confirmation of negotiations between the long-time enemies in eight years. But Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Thursday said Syria needed to "distance itself completely" from "problematic ties" with Iran. Syria, she said, must also stop "supporting terror -- Hezbollah, Hamas", groups backed by Iran. Advertisement In Tehran on Sunday, Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar described Syria as a strategic ally before talks with his Syrian counterpart Hassan Turkmani, IRNA said. "Iran-Syria ties are strategic ties founded on the national interests of the two countries and the world of Islam," he said. Turkmani said, according to IRNA: "The robust Iran-Syria ties neutralize and weaken threats against the line of resistance." Iranian state television later said in a scrolling headline that Turkmani "rejects any precondition" in talks with Israel. The United States, in its initial public reaction Israeli-Syrian contacts, said it did not object to talks but repeated its criticism of Syria's "support for terrorism". Many analysts say U.S. hostility to Damascus, and to its Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah allies, makes a Syrian-Israel deal unlikely before President George W. Bush leaves office in January. Israel has stipulated that as part of the renewed negotiations, Syria must sever its contacts with Iran, and with the militants Hamas and Hezbollah organization. Syria has rejected the precondition. The state-run Tishrin newspaper said in Saturday's editorial that any preconditions to a deal would put the carriage before the horse and Syria's relations with other nations were not on the bargaining table. Sources close to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday said that he was unable to conceal his disappointment and surprise at the news of the renewed peace talks. In an interview with al-Sharq al-Awsat, the sources said that Ahmadinejad characterized the reports as a violation by Damascus of the two countries' mutual responsibilities toward one another. Related articles: Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks Halutz: Golan is not indispensable Meshal: Olmert too weak to make peace Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Shampoo' meets 'Munich' New Adam Sandler film stars Mossad hit man turned hairdresser. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   Iran`s "strategic ties" with Syria may be cut 19:42  |  Conroy 25/05/08   2.   I really wish that Livni stops talking so much. 02:16  |  Stephen. 26/05/08

Read & React Yehuda Ben Meir: Accusation of Olmert spin over Syria talks comes from the media Send response Anaysis / Price of quiet in Lebanon is Hezbollah in power Responses: 20 Shin Bet chief: Hamas threat increasing Responses: 24 U.S. professor gives Israeli prize money to Palestinian university Responses: 11 Rosner's Domain Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) More Headlines 08:54 Shin Bet chief: Hamas threat increasing 07:54 The Gaza front / Truce looks farther away 10:38 Palestinians reject Israeli offer to hand over 91.5% of W. Bank 09:09 New Lebanon President lauds Hezbollah, but eyes its disarmament 10:39 ANALYSIS / Price of quiet in Lebanon is Hezbollah in power 10:34 U.S. prof. gives Israeli prize money to Palestinian university 09:31 Legal source: Cash envelopes alone may not prove charges against Ehud Olmert 09:48 Netanyahu, on Syria talks: Peace with dictatorial state won't last 09:38 In the battle for Kadima, Mofaz to target Livni 04:35 Ashdod residents unfazed by report of rising Hamas threat 06:55 And in the starring role ... a sesame dip 10:26 Avram Grant leaves Chelsea with reputation enhanced Previous Editions Select Day 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may

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