Israel sends Syria a message directly and through EU envoy

The European Union's Middle East peace process envoy, Miguel Moratinos, today said he carried a message to Syria implying Israeli explanations on conditional withdrawal from south Lebanon.

In a special statement to a Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Damascus, Moratinos said, "The Israeli conditions should be studied and highlighted, not only in respect to the security field rather what it contains components for an ultimate and comprehensive peace in the region." He added that during his meetings in Israel and Syria, he felt that, "All are eager for a serious and precise study of this subject."

He said he delivered a communique from British Prime Minister Tony Blair to President Hafez al-Assad to Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa during their meeting yesterday on the efforts exerted by the European Union in the peace process in general and preparation for the Israeli-Palestinian London meeting on May 4th in particular.

Moratinos noted that he discussed with al-Sharaa topics pertaining to the Syrian and Lebanese peace tracks.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai today reiterated his call on Syria to join his initiative to change the situation in Lebanon.

In statements he made today in Haifa broadcast by Israeli radio, Mordechai added that he will welcome any step that may crystallize an agreement according to which Israel withdraws from south Lebanon, guarantees Israel's security interests and preserves the rights of the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army members.

Mordechai said he hoped that such "a Syrian stand" if it happens, would open a dialogue between Syria and Israel to reach an accord between the two countries.