Report: Saudi mediation in resuming Israeli-Syrian talks

The Paris-based weekly al-Muharrir news said in its most recent issue that Saudi Arabia has contributed considerably to resuming the Syrian track in the Middle East peace process.

The weekly quoted Arab circles in Washington as saying that the phase preceding President Clinton's recent contacts to resume the Syrian track had witnessed intensive Saudi activity carried out by the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Bander Bin Sultan, at the directives of King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz to push the US administration to exert all efforts in order to force Israel to abide by resuming negotiations with Syria from the point they left off.

The Arab circles added that Prince Bander, who is known for his wide contacts and follow up on Arab- American relations, made contacts, sent messages and used the position Saudi Arabia enjoys in backing the Syrian position in a way that was satisfactory to the Syrian side.