Assad says Turkey trying to mediate between Syria, Israel

Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday began a visit to Turkey, a country which Assad has said is trying to mediate between his country and Israel.

The visit comes weeks after Israel Air Force warplanes carried out a in northeastern Syria near the border with Turkey against a target that remains unknown, though widespread reports say it may have been a nascent nuclear facility, a claim Syria has denied.

Turkey complained to Israel about the September 6 strike because the aircraft dropped fuel tanks on its territory during the incursion. Assad has said the planes struck an empty warehouse, but both Syria and Israel have been unusually silent over the incident.

Last week, Assad said in interviews with two Tunisian newspapers that Turkey was trying to mediate between Syria and Israel. Turkey has close ties to Israel.

Turkey's foreign minister visited both Israel and Syria earlier in October.

"We have told them [The Turks] that our stance toward peace does not change. All we want is a clear declaration by Israeli officials of their desire for peace and the return of [occupied] land to Syria," Assad said.

Syria's state news agency SANA said Assad was leaving on Tuesday for Turkey for talks on regional issues of common interest. It did not specify when during the day he was traveling. His last visit to Turkey was in January 2004.

SANA said Turkey and Syria have a common goal of insuring stability in the region.

Turkey and Syria have been increasing economic ties in recent years, with Turkey becoming the biggest foreign investor in Syria, according to SANA. More than 30 Turkish investment projects in Syria worth $150 million - mostly industrial projects - have been approved over the past two years, SANA said. Trade between the two countries increased from $257 million in 1992 to $635 million in 2004.

	Syrian President Bashar Assad (Reuters)