On negotiations on the Syrian-Israeli track

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Nawaf Masalha stated that there are indirect contacts between Israel and Syria to resume peace negotiations between them. He added that according to his personal assessment, these contacts will take two to three months until it they bear fruit into resuming negotiations officially.

Masalha told the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat daily issued on Sunday that "What obstructs these negotiations now is not a fundamental dispute between the two countries' leadership. Peace principles are very clear. It is rather the party and coalition conditions around Ehud Barak which prevent him from declaring the results of the negotiations before they start."

Maslha continued that the numerous mediators between the two countries are trying to deal with this matter through conveying the sincere intentions of the two sides and to become convinced of them.

Maslha continued that he will soon make two tours to the Arab states, adding these two tours will cover first Oman and Qatar and then Mauritania, Tunisia and Morocco with the objective of "developing relations between Israel and these countries." He added that several figures from the five countries expressed their desire to meet with him during his visit.

Maslha continued that Israel has currently received several messages from the new ruler in Pakistan, Bruweiz Musharraf, indicating his will "to open a contact channel and relations with Israel."