'Israel willing to return Golan to Syria'

Updated 10.13 Fri Jun 08 2007
Keywords: Bashar al-Assad, president, Ehud Olmert, Golan Heights, Syria, Israel

Israel has told Syria it is prepared to withdraw from the Golan Heights in return for lasting peace, according at an Israeli newspaper.

The paper said prime minister Ehud Olmert had sent messages through foreign envoys to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that Israel is ready to "fulfill its part" in a peace deal.

Mr Olmert was reported to have said that Jerusalem was even prepared to give up the strategic Golan Heights, captured in the Six Day War of June 1967

Mr Olmert was reported to have said that Jerusalem was even prepared to give up the strategic Golan Heights, captured in the Six Day War of June 1967.

Spokesmen for Mr Olmert and the foreign ministry declined to comment on the report although a spokesman said Israel had long been willing to give Syria the Golan area in return for peace.

The report, quoting an unidentified senior diplomat who it said was involved in the contacts with Syria, said Mr Olmert contacted Mr Assad with the help of German and Turkish leaders but has yet to hear back from the Syrian president.

But Israel's price for handing back the Golan would likely be very high. The paper said the Israeli message to Damascus was that Syria must abandon its alliances with Iran, Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon and Palestinian militants.

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