News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) In a statement that seemingly runs contrary to reports from Turkey that a Syrian-Israeli breakthrough is imminent, Syria's President Bashar Assad has told an Italian newspaper that he has rejected Israel's demands regarding a peace deal.

In an interview with L'Espresso weekly, Assad said that he rejected Israel's demand that, in return for a peace deal, Syria would cut its ties with Iran and the terror organizations. He called Israel's demand "useless."

Assad added that he is waiting for the new U.S. President to enter office so that the process can be renewed.