Israeli defense minister calls on Syria to join his initiative on 425

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.