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Israel confirms talks with Syria Israel-Syria confirm peace talks
(about 1 hour later)
Israel says it is holding indirect talks with Syria to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. Israel and Syria have said they are holding indirect talks to reach a comprehensive peace agreement.
A statement by the Israeli prime minister's office said both sides were talking "in good faith and openly". Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said both sides were talking "in good faith and openly".
The statement is the first official confirmation of reports in recent months of Turkish-mediated talks. The Syrian foreign ministry also confirmed the Turkish-mediated talks, the first since 2000.
The last round of talks broke down in 2000 because of disagreement over the extent of Israel's possible withdrawal from the Golan Heights. The last round of talks broke down because of disagreement over the extent of Israel's possible withdrawal from the Golan Heights.
"The two sides indicated they want to lead these negotiations in a serious spirit so as to achieve complete peace," said Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Mr Olmert's office told the BBC that envoys from both sides were holding indirect talks in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
In April, it was reported that the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was mediating in talks between the two sides, who are still technically at war over the Golan Heights, which Israel seized in the 1967 Middle East war. "The two sides indicated they want to lead these negotiations in a serious spirit so as to achieve complete peace," said spokesman Mark Regev.
In a statement, Syria's foreign ministry said: "Both sides have expressed their desire to conduct the talks in goodwill and decided to continue dialogue with seriousness to achieve comprehensive peace,"
In April, it was reported that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was mediating in talks between the two sides, who are still technically at war over the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
A Syrian government minister said then that Mr Olmert had offered to return the Golan Heights in return for peace.A Syrian government minister said then that Mr Olmert had offered to return the Golan Heights in return for peace.
Analysts say that, in return for any withdrawal, Israel would demand Syria sever its ties with Iran and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.
However, they add that withdrawal from the Golan would not be popular with Israeli public opinion.
The reports in April sparked outrage in the Israeli parliament, where several MPs said they would try to accelerate the passage of a bill requiring any withdrawal from the Golan to be dependent on a referendum.
Mr Olmert is currently battling corruption allegations, and the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says the prime minister's critics believe the confirmation of peace talks may be an attempt to divert some attention from that.Mr Olmert is currently battling corruption allegations, and the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says the prime minister's critics believe the confirmation of peace talks may be an attempt to divert some attention from that.