Syria ready to resume Turkish-mediated talks with Israel: diplomat

Hurriyet daily News with wires

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"We, as the Syrian administration, have the utmost confidence in this honorable and decent role that Turkey has played," newly-appointed ambassador Nidal Kabalan told the state-run Anatolian Agency. 

Syria held indirect talks with Israel last year, mediated by Turkey, but they collapsed amid Israel's offensive on Gaza in late December. Syria is seeking a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau captured from Syria in the 1967 war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has reportedly said the new government will not cede the Golan Heights for the sake of peace with Syria.

The announcement comes after heated debate among ministers about the wisdom of pursuing the indirect contacts with Syria via Turkey launched by the former government of Ehud Olmert.

Kabalan said such negative remarks show that Netanyahu does not have a character that favors peace, adding that Israel must take a step toward peace if it really wants to achieve it.

"The ball is in Israel's court right now. Whenever Israel thinks it is ready, then we are ready to talk," he said.

"We have chosen peace as a strategic option and we are determined to go down that road so long as the territories under occupation are returned to their owners," Kabalan added.

Kabalan met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Monday and presented his letter of credence as the newly appointed Syrian representative.