Olmert seeks direct talks with Syria

Olmert seeks direct talks with Syria

Assad also mentioned that a third country recently offered to serve as a mediator with Israel. He did not identify the country, but Israeli media has speculated he was referring to Turkey. Assad said he would be willing to send someone to the country, but would not hold direct talks with Israelis.

During a visit Friday to an Israeli communal farm, Olmert responded to Assad.

"I want to make peace with any Arab country, and I want to do it through direct negotiations. That's how it was with Egypt and with Jordan. The Syrian president knows my stance. How can I be sure? Because he said so," Olmert was quoted as saying by the Israeli news Web site Ynet.

"When he (Assad) says Israel needs to withdraw to the June 4, 1967, lines, that is setting a precondition. I can't make any commitments before negotiating," Olmert was also quoted as saying.

Referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Olmert said Israel would not make unilateral moves.

"Everything will have to be done alongside negotiations with the Palestinians, to reach an arrangement acceptable to both us and them," Olmert was quoted as saying.

Olmert was elected prime minister in 2006 on a promise to withdraw from large parts of the West Bank, in an attempt to draw Israel's final borders unilaterally.

He shelved the idea after it was discredited during last summer's war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. Israel had withdrawn from southern Lebanon without a peace deal in 2000, enabling Hezbollah to arm itself and set up positions close to the Israeli border.

Olmert was also quoted as saying he is not considering a large-scale Israeli military operation in Gaza, from which Israel pulled out in 2005.

Earlier this week, a senior Israeli military commander said the Islamic militant Hamas, which seized control of Gaza by force last month, has stepped up weapons smuggling and is trying to bring in longer-range missiles.

"I have no intention of closing my eyes, like Israel closed its eyes on Lebanon," Olmert was quoted as saying. "We must deal with (Gaza) wisely. I don't think mass military force is the right way. I don't think the current circumstances justify such an offensive," Olmert said.