Israel has stalled talks, says Syria

SYRIA’S foreign minister blamed Israel in remarks published yesterday for the deadlock in peace talks between the two arch foes, citing Israel’s rejection of Damascus’ recent overtures.

In a speech to Syrian political leaders, Farouk al-Sharaa said that Israel’s demands for the dismantling of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group and Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon in line with a September 2 UN resolution would be one of the results of peace “rather than a premature condition for it”.