Syrian President Bashar Assad backed off from his claim last month that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he would hand over the Golan Heights in exchange for peace with its northern neighbor, a claim Olmert had denied at the time.

Assad clarified Monday at a news conference in the Persian Gulf, "We resumed the talks to regain the Golan Heights, and now we are waiting for Israel's response." He added that Syria was not prepared to compromise on its demand that the Jewish State cede the area, which was annexed and has officially been part of the State of Israel for decades.

Syria and Israel were set to resume indirect talks, brokered by Turkey, after an eight-year hiatus, this month.