Damascus denies meeting between Peres, Tlass

Damascus on Friday denied news reports rumored two days earlier through certain mass media that there was a meeting which was about to be held in Paris between the Syrian defense minister Lt. Gen. Mustafa Tlass and the Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres.

A well- informed Syrian source told the London- based al-Sharq al-Awsat issued on Friday that what was said in this respect is fabricated and mere false claims, stressing that such news are groundless.

The Syrian source said that the attempt made to promote these news are not correct, rather intend to damage the unwavering Syrian position concerning the ME peace process and to undermine the credibility of the Syrian position.

However, certain media had rumored news reports that the Syrian defense minister was about to hold a meeting with Peres in Paris and the meeting was arranged by Nahed, daughter of Lt. Gen. Tlass, noting that this meeting was abrogated at the request of the Syrian side, according to those who promoted such news.