Syria to accept UN forces in the Golan following Israeli withdrawal

Canada's ambassador in Damascus, Alexandra Bugailiskis, quoted Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa as saying that Syria is ready to accept UN forces in the area which will be disarmed along the two sides of the borders following the Israeli withdrawal from the Golan to beyond the June 4, 1967 border lines.

In a statement to the London based al-Hayat daily on Tuesday, the Canadian ambassador added that al-Sharaa's statement was made following his meeting with the ambassadors of Canada to Syria, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon on Saturday, following the periodic meeting held by the ambassadors.

The Canadian ambassador added that the two sides exchanged during the meeting special ideas and developments concerning the future of the peace process and bilateral relations.

The ambassador stressed that an important move will be made within the next two months following the visit of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the region.

She continued, "There is a real Canadian desire to resume Syrian-Israeli negotiations and achieve peace, and we are optimistic regarding that."