'Saudi pressure prompted Syria to participate in Annapolis conference'

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Saudi pressure prompted Syria's announcement that it will be participating in the Annapolis peace conference, according to Arab diplomatic sources quoted by the London-based Arabic daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi. According to the report, despite their weak ties with Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan insisted that the Golan Heights be on the parley's agenda. The Saudis headed the group of nations which requested that Washington soften its approach to Syria, the sources said, adding that one of the motivations for Syria's attendance was to slacken US pressure on Damascus.