Israeli Defense Minister Arens: The Key is in Damascus

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens has reiterated his opposition to the idea of unilateral withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, asserting that such a withdrawal would endanger the lives of the citizens of cities and villages in northern Israel.

In statements he made to Israel Radio on Thursday night Arens tried to justify his position, saying, "There are Syrian troops there in Lebanon, and the key to solution is in Damascus."

Arens expressed Israel's readiness to resume negotiations with Syria, but he claimed that the Syrian leadership is putting preconditions on convening such negotiations.

Syria has repeatedly announced its readiness to resume peaceful negotiations with Israel on the grounds starting from the point that had been reached by the two sides under the former Israeli Labor government, MENA reported.