President Shimon Peres said on Tuesday that making peace with Syria depends on whether the Damascus government is prepared to give up its bases in Lebanon. Interviewed by the British Broadcasting Corporation, Peres said that those Lebanese bases are used by Iran, and that Israel is not prepared to tolerate an Iranian presence on its border.

Peres is expected to discuss Iran's nuclear program, Israel-Palestinian Authority peace negotiations and Anglo-Israeli economic cooperation with British leaders during a trip marking 60 years of Anglo-Israeli relations. He is to also to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth and deliver an address to a joint session of Parliament.