Murphy and peace between Syria and Israel

The former US under secretary of state Richard Murphy, who was US former ambassador in Damascus said that the presence of Lt. Gen. Bashar al-Assad in the rule is a new opportunity for resuming the peace process.

In an article for the Lebanese Arabic paper al-Mustaqbal issued on June 24, Murphy noted that " it can be said there are two questions facing these two enemies, Syria and Israel. The first "Is Barak ready to ensure a pullout line to Bashar that reaches the coast of Tiberies lake. A thing which Bashar refused to give up, and his father before him did. It is an heritage that Bashar cannot put down. And the second whether Bashar is convincing towards Syria's desire to make peace with Israel."

Murphy said if the answer to these two issues is positive a breakthrough will be made in the Syrian- israeli negotiations which have been stumbled for a long time.