Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced on Monday that Israel would not negotiate or sign a peace treaty with Syria, despite Syria's interest in doing so.
Sharon made the comment during a parliamentary foreign affairs and security committee meeting, saying, "I have no intentions of negotiating with Syria and signing a peace treaty with the country." He added that, "Discussions on the possibility of withdrawal from the Golan Heights in the past constituted a grave mistake."
The prime minister was asked about the current crisis in Syria over the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri, as well as the subsequent UN investigation which has left Syria as a possible suspect.
Sharon would not comment on the matter or reveal whether or not he felt that Israel was better of with a strong Assad regime or not.
Sharon was also questioned about a possible Israeli attack on Iran in the future. Such an attack was thought to have been ruled out as Israeli policy following a recent statement by Israel's Defense Minster, Shaul Mofaz, who said that such an attack was "not on Israel's agenda."
However, referring to the comment, Sharon said that not every statement made by a government minister represents Israeli policy, leaving open the possibility of such an attack.
