Levy calls on Syria to join direct negotiations

Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy on Tuesday in Amman called on Syrian President Hafez al-Assad to accept carrying out direct negotiations with Israel.

In a press conference he held at the conclusion of a short visit to Amman, Levy added: "We are hopeful that President al-Assad, who is known for his practical character, will understand that he has to join direct negotiations with Israel." Levy added that there is no need to have "mediation between Syria and Israel. Rather we have to work directly."

He said its is now "the right time to launch direct negotiations between Israel and Syria."

Levy expressed his hope that the coming tour of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the region next month will help Israel deal with the Syrian track to have a progress on all other negotiation tracks.