Damascus demands full Israeli pullout from Golan
Syria will not restart peace talks with Israel unless Israel is willing to discuss a full withdrawal from the Occupied Golan Heights said Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, reiterating previously stated Syrian position.
Moallem spoke at a joint news conference with visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday, and also with Moallem.
At the news conference with Moallem, Kouchner said that "the talks [with Assad] dealt with the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, political dialogue and economic ties as well as the necessity of reaching a comprehensive solution to the [Middle East] peace process," Syrian state news agency SANA reported.
According to SANA, Moallem said at the news conference that Kouchner”s talks with Assad were constructive, and added that, "the talks dealt with bilateral relations and the commitments of presidents Assad and [Nicolas] Sarkozy to develop these relations and push them forward, in addition to the current regional situation."
SANA reported that regarding the Middle East peace process, Kouchner said that "all of us have to go back to the peace process and try to find solutions to the problems, whether in Lebanon or in the Golan Heights. France has not changed its attitude toward establishing a Palestinian state, which implies [Israel] stopping settlement-building, and going on with the negotiations."
Kouchner noted that his visit comes on the first anniversary of the restart of French-Syrian ties, and said that "we expect several visits to take place, particularly visits by French businessmen to Syria," according to SANA. Kouchner also said that he would work with the French ambassador to Syria to make it easier for Syrian students to get visas to France, SANA added.
Kouchner also discussed French efforts to have US sanctions against Syria lifted, saying that "we are and we will continue working in this direction and try to do our best and use all possible means whenever the chance allows through dialogue," SANA reported.
Moallem also stressed the importance of "reconciliation among the Iraqi people," SANA said.
SANA reported that Moallem described Saudi Arabian-Syrian relations as "good," and said that "we welcome the visit of King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz to Damascus" adding that, "the time of the visit will be fixed through diplomatic means."
Saudi Arabian-Syrian relations have been strained since the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri, which many have blamed on Syria. Syria vehemently denies the allegation. Saudi-Syrian relations have recently been improving, with visits by high-level officials, including Prince Abdel-Aziz bin Abdullah, between the two countries.