By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Syria's foreign minister says no headway has been achieved in several rounds of indirect negotiations with Israel.
Walid al-Moallem says the talks mediated by Turkey "regrettably" have not progressed enough for the two parties to hold direct negotiations but added both Israel and Syria were "serious" about solving outstanding issues.
The Syrian foreign minister was speaking Monday at a joint press conference with the visiting French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner who expressed his country's willingness to assist in the peace process if both parties requested it.
Turkish officials have hosted four rounds of indirect negotiations in Istanbul between Syrian and Israeli delegations.