Turkish FM says Israel, Syria show 'will' for peace

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel and Syria both have "the political will" to end tensions between them and will hold a fourth round of indirect talks soon, Turkey's foreign minister said Wednesday. Ali Babacan told private NTV television that Turkey would mediate those talks in Istanbul in the "coming weeks" but refused to disclose the exact date, citing security concerns. "Both sides have the political will for a solution," Babacan said. "There is hope. We wouldn't have engaged in the negotiations if there weren't." Turkish mediators have been shuttling between the Israeli and Syria negotiators through three previous rounds of indirect talks since May. The talks have been conducted in secret in Istanbul and results have not been made public. Babacan said Turkey is trying to get both sides to meet in person. The Israeli and Syrian delegations are staying in separate hotels in the city, he said.