Barak and peace with Syria

Israeli Radio said on Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday renewed his stand saying that "Syria is not ready to conclude peace with Israel," adding that he is not optimistic over resuming negotiations with Syria, shortly.

In statements he made during the weekly session of his Cabinet, Barak added that, "The Syrians are not ready to reach an agreement that ensures vital Israeli interests." He added that the door is not closed before the possibility of resuming negotiations, at the request of the American side.

In his first comment on the statement made by Lebanese Defense Minister Ghazi Zeitar on the possibility of redeployment of the Syrian Army on the Lebanese- Syrian borders when Israel will withdraw from south Lebanon, Barak considered this statement as unrealistic and inapplicable.

He repeated his determination to implement the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon. He said that Israel prefers the implementation of UN resolutions 425 by July, noting that the implementation of this decision wins a wide international backing.