Moallem: Renewal of peace talks without Golan withdrawal promise pointless

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem responded to recent calls to return to peace negotiations with Israel by saying that such talks were worthless in the absence of a promise to return the Golan Heights. Moallem said Friday on Syrian state television that "an Israeli guarantee to withdraw from the Golan Heights is not a condition [to talks], but is necessary for peace.