Syria Chides Israel's "Contradicting" Signals
Syria's top diplomat on Sunday accused his Israeli counterpart of sending "contradicting" messages on the Middle East peace process, expressing Damascus' frustration with what Syria considers a lack of willingness on the part of Israel's new government to make peace.
Lieberman told Israel's Army Radio on Sunday that he would "be glad to negotiate with Syria this evening, but without preconditions."
"They say, first go back to '67 lines and give up the Golan. If we agree to that, what is there to negotiate?" he asked rhetorically.
In an article published over the weekend in Austria, Lieberman said, however, that he "cannot see Syria as a genuine partner to any sort of agreement," citing Damascus' relationship with Iran and it's support for Palestinian militant groups.
The Israelis "know exactly what the requirements of peace are," said al-Moallem. "If they have willingness to make peace then this willingness must be in line with the terms of reference of the peace process, particularly the U.N. Security Council resolutions, the land-for-peace principle," the Syrian minister added.
Earlier on Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Yang met and expressed their countries' "content" with President Obama's approach to helping resolve the various crisis facing the world.
A presidential statement said both sides "expressed content over the openness of the new American administration to multi-polarism in finding solutions to thorny issues in the world, and its new diplomacy and the positive atmospheres which have resulted."
Al-Moallem said talks held between the Chinese Foreign Minister, al-Assad and other Syrian officials, "touched upon ways of establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the region, how to contribute in establishing peace and security in Iraq, the situation in Darfur and other issues."
Yang Jiechi said his talks with Assad and al-Moallem were extensive and comprehensive, and that they exchanged opinions on ways of advancing the Mideast peace process and the necessity of establishing a just and comprehensive peace in accordance with international resolutions.
Yang added that China supported Syria's efforts to restore the occupied Golan Heights to Syria.