[Reuters ] Khaled Yacoub Oweis - Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mekdad said Tuesday that no direct negotiations will be held with Israel until it recognizes what Damascus regards as requirements for a deal. "I think it is too early to resume direct talks. There are conditions...which are the end of the occupation of Palestine and the establishment of a Palestinian state, restoration of the Syrian Golan and pull out of remaining occupied Lebanese territory," he said. "Our goal is an Israeli withdrawal from all the lands of the Syrian Republic. This is the basis for launching direct talks," said Mekdad, a main player in Syrian foreign policy.
2008-06-11 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive