Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday his country was prepared to resume peace talks with Israel and called on European nations to help in the process. "As far as it concerns us in Syria we have national support to continue talks with Israel," Assad said, according to AFP.
"However, there is a condition that on the Israeli side we also have those who want to continue the negotiations," he added after meeting his Croatian counterpart Stipe Mesic.
The Syrian leader hailed Turkey's efforts in the process and stressed that the presence of a "third side" would be necessary if the talks resume. "We call on European countries to also give their contribution, to help Turkey but also us to be able to resume from where we have stopped," he noted.
"The suspended talks should resume and Golan (Heights) be brought back under Syrian sovereignty," said Mesic. "Security for Israel should be also guaranteed."
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
