Damascus expressed satisfaction over the weekend on calls by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to include Syria in the peace process, but stressed that it would not negotiate over a partial Israeli withdrawal from the Golan. Syrian sources told the London-based Arabic language a-Shark al-Awsat Sunday that Damascus still sees negotiations with Israel as a “strategic interest” for Syria.
A report on Israel Radio said that the statements come a day after a visit by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Damascus. Western officials said that recent rumors that Syria and Israel were set to enter into talks was upsetting Iran, which hopes to keep Damascus out of the West's sphere of influence.
A report on Israel Radio said that the statements come a day after a visit by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Damascus. Western officials said that recent rumors that Syria and Israel were set to enter into talks was upsetting Iran, which hopes to keep Damascus out of the West's sphere of influence.