Syrian defense minister stress importance of peace

A Syrian source said Syrian Minister of Defense Mostafa Tlass confirmed his country's desire to achieve a just and comprehensive peace according to international legitimacy decisions and the Madrid terms of reference.

Tlass added that reviving talks along the Syrian - Lebanese tracks requires an obvious and accurate commitment from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Barak to a complete withdrawal from south Lebanon and the Golan Heights to the borderlines specified on June 4, 1967.

Meanwhile, the Syrian source said that in Tel Aviv, Israeli Minister of Justice Yossi Beilin said Israel will not present any promises of complete withdrawal from the Golan before starting talks with Syria.

In statements to Israel Radio today, Beilin said that if the Syrian side insists on this pledge from Israel before resuming talks, the talks will never begin, adding, "It is unacceptable that either of the two sides demand from the other to accept his point of view before starting talks."