LOC20:26
17:26 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday
said he would be happy to facilitate peace talks between the Israelis and the
Syrians now that both sides have showed interest in doing so.
"It is encouraging to see that Israeli Prime minister (Ehud Omert) and
Palestinian President (Mahmoud) Abbas met again and also it's encouraging that
Israel has expressed willingness to talk with the Syrian President (Bashar
Al-Assad) and all other regional players. As Secretary-Genral, and the UN,
firmly support such initiative and would be happy to facilitate such peace
initiatives," Ban told a press conference.
In an interview with Al-Arabia TV this week, Olmert offered to speak to the
Syrians anywhere, any time, without preconditions and even without the US
mediation. The Syrians also showed signs that they are willing to talks to the
Israelis about the Israeli occupied Golan Heights. (end)
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