Syria, Israel postpone indirect talks after negotiator resigns

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 09-05-2008 09:19

Syria and Israel have postponed a round of indirect peace talks to address proposals on reaching a breakthrough peace deal. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he's handed to Turkish mediators a document outlining peace plans.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shakes hands with his French  counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy (R) in Damascus. Sarkozy held  talks with Assad at the start of a two-day visit aimed  at sealing a rapprochement and advancing Syria's peace  talks with Israel.(AFP/Louai Beshara)

The leaders of Syria, Turkey and Qatar joined French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday, for a summit on peace and stability in the Middle East.

Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, said this round of talks with Israel should have taken place on Wednesday, but was postponed due to the resignation of the chief Israeli negotiator.

Assad said the document outlining proposals for peace with Israel is intended to serve as the basis for direct talks. And he said he is waiting for a similar document laying out Israel's starting position.

So far, negotiations between Syria and Israel have been held indirectly through Turkish mediation.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he is confident that indirect talks between Syria and Israel will continue.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "Concerning the fifth round, there were some developments and we are confident that the Israeli side will continue this process. Syria and Lebanon showed very constructive positions, and we are happy with the results we got and about those talks -- even if they were indirect."

The discussions in Syria's capital followed a meeting between Sarkozy and Assad on Wednesday, to discuss prospects for direct peace talks between Syria and Israel. The summit aims to follow up on that discussion and other regional issues, with the participation of two other important regional players.

Editor:Du Xiaodan