Barak and peace with Syria

In an interview with the Qatari al-Jazira Satellite TV on Monday, the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak said " I believe we were actually close to reaching an agreement with Syria and when time permits peace will be established between Syria and Israel."

He added that peace with Syria will be according to the agreements that were signed with the Late President Hafez al-Assad, especially in regard to borders, security and timing and all other aspects. I do believe we have to abide by these matters."

He added " I regret we did not reach an agreement with Syria. But I am confident that we will reach in the future such an agreement. We are looking forward to this agreement, but now we have the election campaign."

He said: " I think the people of the region should honor each other, serve their interests and the interests of their people. And we want to have the peace of the brave.

Replying to a question he said there was no need to withdraw the Egyptian and Jordanian ambassadors from Israel."