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Last update - 14:40 02/07/2008 Report: Israel, Syria to hold direct negotiations after next round of talks By Yoav Stern Tags: Druze, Israel, Syria  A fresh round of Syrian-Israeli peace talks will take place in Turkey in two weeks time, Ankara sources told the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on Wednesday. The sources said that after the coming meetings, a new phase of direct talks is likely to begin, but that will be determined only after Bashar Assad visits France next week. Discussions held in Turkey on Tuesday were meant to draw up a timetable for direct talks on central obstacles to Israeli-Syrian peace, including the precise delineation of the border to which Israel will withdraw, normalized relations, security arrangements and water issues. Advertisement According to the Al-Hayat report, the Syrians accept the Israeli claim that the June 4, 1967 borders - to which Syria has demanded Israel withdraw in the framework of a peace deal - are not precisely known, and that there exists a need to determine them anew. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gar Store told Al-Hayat that Syria demands United States participation in the event the talks become direct. He said that he transferred impressions of his meetings in Damascus this week to Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and would send them to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as well. Syria demands release of Golan Druze as condition for peace Syria's deputy foreign minister referred to Druze residents of the Golan Heights as Syrians Tuesday, saying in an interview on Syrian television that Israel will have to release all the Syrian prisoners it is holding if it is to reach a peace agreement with Syria. The comment can refer only to Druze from the Golan, since there are no Syrian nationals in Israeli prisons. In the interview, Faisal Mekdad described the prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hezbollah as "a victory for the Arab people." Meanwhile, Syrian commentator Mustafa al-Hajj told Iranian television station Al-Alam that the Knesset's approval this week of a law mandating a national referendum or two-thirds parliamentary majority prior to a withdrawal from territory under Israeli control means that Israel is not interested in peace with Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad said Monday that the atmosphere in the region was positive, and spoke yesterday about regional developments with Jordan's King Abdullah II. Related articles: Syrian FM: I wish Syria had Israel's nuclear arsenal Sarkozy: To achieve peace, we need to talk with Assad Barak: Only U.S. can help Israel-Syria talks; Syria: No chance of Assad-Olmert handshake Bookmark to del.icio.us   Prisoner exchange Israel signs swap deal, begins exhuming bodies of Hezbollah guerillas. Provocative questions Gaydamak tells TAU student to 'shut up and go to hell' over Angola question.   1.   Great Victory For Arab People 07:35  |  Brad 02/07/08   2.   The Golan ? a paramount strategic asset for Israel. 08:18  |  Jean Van Daem 02/07/08   3.   Chelmite logic 11:52  |  Helm of Chelm 02/07/08   4.   Exchange Golan Druz for Syrian Jews 12:35  |  Rick & TC 02/07/08   5.   #2 Rather behind the times, Jean..... 14:16  |  Johnboy 02/07/08   6.   israel should withdraw to the international border set out in the 18:18  |  lakshmi 02/07/08   7.   The Kurds, Israel, and the Future of Syria 04:59  |  Kurdnas 03/07/08   8.   THIS ONLY MEANS ONE THING:DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS OF MORE PIECE !!! 17:38  |  glenna 08/07/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Fear of calling a terrorist a terrorist Responses: 101 Editorial: Hamas has kept its truce commitments thus far Responses: 48 Former water chief: Faucets could run dry this summer Responses: 48 U.S. exports to Iran shot up despite Bush sanction talk Responses: 30 Assad: Direct talks with Israel only after Bush leaves office Responses: 24 More Headlines 19:42 PMO: Not enough funds to protect all homes in Gaza rocket range 20:23 Court rejects petition against release of Kuntar as part of prisoner swap 19:28 Olmert to be quizzed by police for third time in Talansky probe 19:20 Mortar shell hits W. Negev in fresh Gaza truce violation 18:07 IDF shuts down Nablus mall in campaign against Hamas 17:30 IDF rebukes Egyptian soldiers over fatal cross-border manhunt 19:54 U.S. exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during Bush presidency 17:12 Elie Wiesel testifies against man who allegedly accosted him 18:06 Report: Iran begins war game with warning to U.S. and Israel 18:04 Ultra-Orthdox prohibition on entering Temple Mount splinters 19:19 Convicted terrorist released from jail due to declining health 13:59 Knesset panel admonishes Netanyahu for London spending spree 17:57 Syria says will send envoy to France in sign of renewed ties 17:22 Tamir to ex-Education Ministry DG: I'm clearing out the trash you left me 15:22 Gag order lifted: IDF troops arrested Hamas militants in May Previous Editions Select Day 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul 03 jul 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun

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