Israel and Syria launch indirect peace talks

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel and Syria announced on Wednesday the launch of indirect negotiations brokered by Turkey, eight years after the last attempt at peacemaking broke down over the fate of the occupied Golan Heights.

"Israel and Syria began indirect peace talks under Turkish auspices," the office of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said.

Syria and Turkey confirmed the indirect peace negotiations had begun between the two nations, which have technically been in a state of war since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war when Israel captured the strategic Golan plateau from Syria.

"The two sides declared their intention to conduct these talks frankly and openly," Olmert's office said in a statement. "They decided to conduct the dialogue in a serious and continuous manner in a bid to reach a comprehensive peace."

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jEm5YytbqetZtwxYNMIRY86uqQDg

:thumbsup:

Hope something comes of it.