Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:07:15 GMT
Israeli sources have reported the postponement of the fifth round of Turkey mediated peace-talks between Syrian and Israeli negotiators.
"The scheduled Thursday talks between the Israeli and Syrian delegations were postponed on Monday due to the resignation of the lead Israeli negotiator," the Jerusalem Post reported on Monday.
Meanwhile, Israeli Army Radio said that the decision came in the wake of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's recent visit to Russia to discuss new arms deal with the Kremlin leaders.
Reacting to the speculation, Ehud Olmert's office cited bureaucratic grounds as the sole reason for taking the decision, claiming that the regime is still "committed to continuing the talks with Syria."
Turkey has mediated a series of indirect negotiations between the Syrian and Israeli delegates to help the sides resolve differences. Turkey's initiative; however, has so far failed as Israel declines to return the strategic Golan Heights.
Israel occupied the Golan Heights in 1967 and has since refused to heed Syrian and international demands to withdraw its forces from the region.
MMS/DT