Report: Peace talks to resume very soon

Western diplomatic sources have expected that Syrian-Israeli negotiations will be resumed following the vacation of Eid al-Adha in the middle of March. In its Wednesday issue, al-Quds newspaper issued in the occupied Arab territories, said according to these sources that Syria had received US calls to ease down the situation in Lebanon following the Israeli bombardment and that Syrian diplomacy is active at the present to avoid the consequences of the situation in Lebanon.

The paper said that Syria was careful that fighting will not be escalated in south Lebanon and held intensive consultations with the leaders of the Lebanese resistance and the presidency and informed international sides-- especially France, Russia and the US-- that Syria is not responsible for the operations carried out by the Lebanese resistance amid the Israeli escalation.

The paper continued, according to the sources which asked not to be identified, that Syria asked these sides to warn Israel against the escalation on Lebanon because such an escalation will eliminate chances to resume the negotiations, freezing them instead.

Syria also stressed that it is serious about maintaining negotiations and that Israel is obstructing them.