Swiss FM: We have not conveyed invitation to host al-Assad, Barak

Swiss Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss on Friday evening told the Lebanese daily al-Nahar in a statement issued today denying what was quoted by the AFP of members of the official delegation accompanying him on his visit to Beirut that Switzerland is ready to host a summit meeting between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak under the supervision of US President Bill Clinton.

Deiss said he did not convey an official proposal in this regard, rather he told President al-Assad that his country is ready to receive al-Assad in any frame proper to giving peace negotiations a push forward.

Deiss stressed such readiness during his meeting with the Lebanese officials.