Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Israel hints at Syria opening after Sarkozy meet
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Israel hints at Syria opening after Sarkozy meet
AFP - Thursday, November 12
Send
IM Story
Print
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Netanyahu met Sarkozy for talks on the crisis in the Middle East peace process Wednesday and appeared to open the door to talks with Syria.
PARIS (AFP) - – Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met French President Nicolas Sarkozy for talks on the crisis in the Middle East peace process and appeared to open the door to talks with Syria.
Neither leader spoke to reporters after their two-hour meeting in the Elysee Palace, and Netanyahu set off for the airport immediately afterwards. The pair had addressed the media after both their previous Paris meetings.
A short statement from Sarkozy's office said that the talks had included only the leaders and one senior advisor each. They discussed "international issues and notably ways to restart the Middle East peace process."
But, while the mood surrounding the meeting was downbeat, afterwards an Israeli official did hold open the chance of progress in one of the overlapping negotiating tracks that make up the stalled regional peace plan.
"Mr Sarkozy raised the issue of the Syrian track," the senior aide said.
"The prime minister said he is willing to meet with the Syrian president at any time and anywhere to move on the peace negotiations on the basis of no pre-conditions," he added.
Earlier, in Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told a meeting of Arab politicians that Syria would not "put forward conditions on making peace" but warned it had "rights that we will not renounce," according to the SANA news agency.
Assad is due in Paris on Friday for talks with Sarkozy.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and unilaterally annexed it in 1981. Damascus has repeatedly demanded the strategic plateau's return as a non-negotiable condition for peace.
Telephone talks arranged by Turkish mediators between the arch foes were broken off last year during Israel's offensive in Gaza, closing a promising diplomatic channel towards a broader Middle East settlement.
Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in Paris that he was ready to resume his role as mediator of three-way telephone conversations between Israeli and Syrian leaders at any time.
There was no sign, however, that the Paris meeting had made much progress on the issue of peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
On the eve of the visit, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said a "real political difference" separates Sarkozy and Netanyahu on the issue of Israel's continued building of settlements on Palestinian land.
"We think that a freeze on settlements, that's to say no more colonisation while talks are ongoing, would be absolutely indispensable," Kouchner told France Inter radio. "We need talks and the peace process to restart."
French fears for the peace process have been exacerbated by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas' threat to resign in protest at Israel's refusal to stop building on Palestinian land in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
"The return to negotiations depends on Israel adhering to the terms of reference of peace and that means halting all settlements," Abbas told Palestinian supporters on Wednesday in Ramallah.
Abbas is seen by many as the only Palestinian leader with the power and credibility to lead meaningful negotiations, and his departure could even trigger the collapse of the Palestinian Authority.
Sarkozy called Abbas on Tuesday to urge him to reconsider a decision not to seek re-election next year, and was expected to pressure Netanyahu during his meeting Wednesday to halt settlement building.
The Israeli leader arrived in Paris late Tuesday after flying in from Washington, where he had held similarly tense discussions with US President Barack Obama, who has also called for a construction freeze.
Netanyahu insists he has limited settlement activity and has called for immediate peace talks with the Palestinians, but his Washington trip ended without the usual friendly joint appearance with the US leader.
The lack of a press conference was widely interpreted as a snub by Obama.
Speaking in Jerusalem, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday said the meeting had helped pave the way for the possible restarting of Israeli-Palestinian talks.
"This meeting was good, important and constructive. It lifted a number of obstacles and created a decisive base for the resumption of negotiations that will allow us to reach an agreement with our neighbours, the Palestinians," he said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
UK-World Summary Reuters - 1 hour 18 minutes ago
China looms as key challenge on Obama's Asia tour Reuters - 1 hour 19 minutes ago
Man who shot Washington Lt. Gov's son dies AP - 1 hour 31 minutes ago
The 2007 picture provided by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences shows Nidal Malik Hasan when he entered the program for his Disa AP - 1 hour 41 minutes ago
Pioneering cardiologist William Ganz dies in LA AP - 1 hour 56 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Medvedev to set out economic reforms in speech
Kidnapped Irish priest free, in good health: military
US salutes 'Mighty Mouse' who ended Fort Hood massacre
US takes brown pelican off endangered species list
Lack of health care killed 2,266 US veterans last year: study
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
New dinosaur discovered in S. Africa
Antarctica's ice loss helps offset global warming: study
Mixed figures on China's economy
US salutes 'Mighty Mouse' who ended Fort Hood massacre
Lack of health care killed 2,266 US veterans last year: study
More Most Viewed »
Somali centenarian weds 17-year-old
Fibre may keep asthma, diabetes at bay, study finds
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 12 November 2009 The nation's weather
Detentions set to dominate Russia, Georgia talks
Abbas resists U.S. pressure to resume peace talks
| International
|
David Letterman's Alleged Blackmailer Wants Case Dismissed
Ahmadinejad suggests Iran role in atom fuel bank
| International
|
NATO expects more resources for Afghan training
| International
|
Clinton: US envoy's trip to North Korea still on
Court Rules Joe Jackson Has No Claim to Michael's Estate
Who knew of Fort Hood suspect's radical contacts?
Blackout raises doubts over Brazil infrastructure
| International
|
Merkel back to work after Berlin Wall party
AP-GfK Poll: A grouchy public sticking with Obama
Pakistanis pay high price for anti-militant drive
| International
|
Ronnie Wood And Jo Wood Granted Quickie Divorce
THE INFLUENCE GAME: Bishops shape health care bill
Karadzic seeking appeal to remove appointed counsel
| International
|
Number of wounded troops in Afghanistan increasing
Simon Cowell Tops Best Paid Primetime Men On TV List
US crop estimates may ease fears about wet harvest
Palestinian cave-dweller fights Israeli eviction
| International
|
Oprah Winfrey Settles "Aha Moments" Suit With Insurance Company
Peter Andre Awarded Libel Damages From Tabloid
Report: Blackwater OK'd $1M plan to pay off Iraqis
"Twilight" Leads People's Choice Awards Nods List
Somali pirates hijack two more ships
| International
|
Cypriots guarded over British land offer
| International
|
Merkel, Sarkozy in first joint Armistice ceremony
| International
|
First ethnic groups agree to join Myanmar guards
Ft. Hood probe spotlights Web-savvy preacher
| Technology
|
Iranian accused of smuggling drugs on fake leg
Taiwan: No quid pro quo for lifting US beef ban
Nokia launches 3 phones for the CDMA standard
| Technology
|
Clinton: No conditions on Myanmar for better ties
Wal-Mart offers $100 gift card on BlackBerry purchases
| Technology
|
Foreign aid worker held in death of Afghan boy
China mining co. accused of damaging Great Wall
Logitech buys LifeSize Comms for $405 million
| Technology
|
Missing US soldier's body found in Afghan river
Eager fans greet Call of Duty launch
| Technology
|
Clinton says Korea naval fight won't deter U.S. envoy
Ninja Assassin star Rain trained for eight months to achieve zero body fat
World Bank warns unemployment threatens US economy
Geithner glad Japan is focusing on domestic demand
Saudi Arabia grants Pakistan $380 million loan
Asia faces new risks of overheating: Zoellick
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea data points to recovery and rate rise
China signs deals, eyes Malaysia's palm oil, timber
Sesame Street celebrates 40 years
Britney breaks silence on Aussie lip-synch row
DEALTALK-State assets could be a tough sell for S.Korea
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Lopez Tonight" debuts with strong ratings
Judge dismisses Jackson father estate bid
Ssangyong staff accused of technology leaks
Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood gets quickie divorce
| Entertainment
|
Judge names pair of executors for Jackson estate
Rising inflation threat seen in South Asia
Simon Cowell is top earning man on U.S. TV
| Entertainment
|
Judge names pair of executors for Jackson estate
| Entertainment
|
Rapper violates order, faces more prison time
Pablo Escobar's son apologizes in film about drug lord's crimes
| Entertainment
|
New George Lopez talk show overplays race angle
Indonesian police deny framing anti-graft chief
Twilight leads People's Choice nominations
| Entertainment
|
Judge revives Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy lawsuit
| Entertainment
|
Eight Eastern Europeans Charged In "Sophisticated" $9 Million ATM Thefts
Canadian Man Turns Last $10 Into $50 Million With Lotto Win
Brazil Darkened For Hours By Massive Power Failure
Ex-Astronaut In Love Triangle Gets 2-Day Sentence For Burglary, Battery
Hebrew University Debuts Lecture Series To Be Offered On Train During Morning Commute
Israeli Rabbi's Guide On The Killing Of Gentiles Causes Firestorm
Deputies In Florida Home Invasion Find Deer Is Culprit
Bottle Of Beer From Burned Hindenburg Zeppelin The Most Expensive At $8,337
Dinosaur Skull Among Nicolas Cage's Over-The-Top Purchases
Canadian Teen Survives On Ice Floe In Arctic Sea Trapped With Polar Bears
Libya repatriates hundreds of rebels to Niger: report
| International
|
Motorola eyes $4.5 billion home/networks unit sale: sources
| Technology
|
Britons among the ugliest people, dating site says
| Technology
|
Tyler, onstage with Perry, says not leaving Aerosmith
| Entertainment
|
Obama warns Afghan commitment not 'open-ended'
Israel hints at Syria opening after Sarkozy meet
Colombia takes Chavez war talk to Security Council
| International
|
Medvedev to set out economic reforms in speech
Churchill Downs buying YouBet.com
Brazil: Ties with Iran important to Mideast peace
Kidnapped Irish priest free, in good health: military
Microsoft's Bing teams up with WolframAlpha
Detentions raised in 'difficult' Russia, Georgia talks
Israel displays coins from ancient Jewish revolt
NATO expects more resources for Afghan training
| International
|
US salutes 'Mighty Mouse' who ended Fort Hood massacre
New invention addresses lithium battery fires
Spain calls for blockade of Somali pirate ports
Iran open to idea of world nuclear fuel bank
North Korea warns South it will pay for clash
| International
|
Al Gore's Current Media cuts 80 jobs
US takes brown pelican off endangered species list
Lack of health care killed 2,266 US veterans last year: study
Kidnapped Irish priest freed in Philippines
| International
|
HP to buy 3Com for 2.7 billion dollars
Europe sets down firm deficit deadlines
U.S. keeps pressure on Abbas after Netanyahu visit
AMD expects key business to turn profit in 2010
Strength of British recovery 'highly uncertain'
Is Africa selling out its farmers?
| International
|
Yemen rejects Iranian 'interference'
Google routes World Bank data to fact seekers
UN targets undernourishment as infant killer
India's food dilemma: high prices or shortages
| International
|
Britons among the "ugliest people", dating site says
EU to choose first president on Nov 19
Iraq PM warns of threat in run-up to January vote
Japan emperor says history vital as past haunts Asia
| International
|
Logitech buys LifeSize Comms for $405 million
Landmine 'kills eight Pakistani troops'
Iran sentences vote detainee to jail and lashes
New dinosaur discovered in S. Africa
Nokia launches 3 phones for the CDMA standard
World remembers sacrifice of WWI lost generation
ING switches into profit with restructuring
US-TECH Summary
Merkel in Paris to honour WWI dead
Nokia launches 3 phones for the CDMA standard
Pioneering cardiologist William Ganz dies in LA
Fort Hood probe spotlights Web-savvy preacher
| Technology
|
AP source: US envoy objects to troop increase
New invention addresses lithium battery fires
| Technology
|
Ga. officers: Pilot tried to hit them with plane
Teen may be victim of 1970s Houston serial killer
AMD expects key business to be profitable in 2010
| Technology
|
Mrs. Obama says veterans' skills can help at home
Obama pushes for changes in Afghan strategy options
Maoists block Nepalese government's main offices
North Korea threatens South over naval clash
Relentless rains lead Va. gov to declare emergency
Freed priest says Filipino captors wanted money
Families of missing seek closure in Timor massacre
Woman attacked by chimp reveals face on 'Oprah'
Obama set to launch debut Asia mission
Shooting suspect's superiors questioned behavior
Police say Mike Tyson involved in LAX incident
N.Korea: S.Korean military will pay for sea clash
NKorea says SKorea faces consequences over clash
French envoy meets North Korea's No. 2 leader
Australia in for 'long haul', says country's PM
Fugitive ex-Thai PM set to give Cambodian lecture
Asian markets slip as rally peters out
APEC ministers plot ways to sustain recovery
Peru's Garcia: free trade deal with S.Korea near
S.Korea freezes key interest rate for 9th month
S.Korea reschedules rush hour for annual exam ritual
Seoul shares edge higher, unmoved by rate decision
"G.I. Joe" shows muscle at top of video charts
List of winners at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards
Warhol's '200 One Dollar Bills' go for $43.8 mln
S.Korea spotted buying dlr to curb won's rise
Britney Spears tells critics read my lips: it's for fans
| Entertainment
|
Classic rockers upgraded to key pop chart
APEC eco ministers talk plans to sustain recovery
Host Lou Dobbs leaves CNN for 'new opportunities'
Lou Dobbs leaving CNN, does not reveal plans
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea c.bank holds rates for 9th month
Conductor Slatkin to skip November DSO concerts
Mike Tyson arrested after L.A. airport scuffle
| Entertainment
|
S.Korean bond futures edge down ahead of rate vote
Harrelson vs. Harrelson at weekend box office
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares up, test 1,600 ahead of rate meeting
Controversial CNN anchor Lou Dobbs quits
Ian McKellen takes act to film, TV -- and gay rights
| Entertainment
|
Harrelson vs. Harrelson at weekend box office
Record 20 animated films vie for Oscar
| Entertainment
|
Record 20 animated films vie for Oscar
Classic rockers upgraded to key pop chart
| Entertainment
|
G.I. Joe shows muscle at top of video charts
| Entertainment
|
Man Appeals $400 Billion Copyright Suit Against Bon Jovi
Scientific Evidence Sheds Light On "Chocolate Cure" For Stress
Xbox Players Of Pirated Games Banned
Man Assaults Employee With Backhoe
Academics hope history in video games spurs interest
Israel open to Syria peace talks
Abbas to accept Palestinian election delay: officials
| International
|
Jewish-American charged with killing Palestinians
Medvedev warns Russia opposition not to rock boat
| International
|
Iran calls on Russia to fulfil missile sales deal
Food summit to make little headway in war on hunger
| International
|
Iraq warns of more violence before elections
| International
|
Jewish settler charged with murdering Palestinians
Pakistan police hold 7 planning attacks in Karachi
| International
|
Iran calls on Russia to fulfill missile sales deal
| International
|
Thai crisis deepens as Thaksin finds Cambodian base
| International
|
Israel hints at Syria opening after Sarkozy meet
Israel open to Syria talks as Palestinians balk
| International
|
Analysis: US low on options in Afghanistan
Probe 'queries' shooting of ex-Taiwan president
China extends investigation of Rio Tinto employees
Group decries China's "black jails"
4-year-old RI boy's wheelchair stolen
Obama said to want revised Afghanistan options
North Korea threatens South over naval clash
Christmas tree going up in NY's Rockefeller Center
Intel to pay AMD $1.25 billion, settle all disputes
| Technology
|
Report: Dozens of China journalists beaten, sued
Remains of 10th person ID'd from Cleveland house
Activision says Call of Duty sets launch record
| Technology
|
Major Asian cities face climate disaster: WWF
Clinton urges Myanmar to free Suu Kyi
HP to buy 3Com for $3.1 billion
| Technology
|
3 kids die in school cafeteria collapse in China
US-Russia nuclear talks hit snag: report
Stuck Mars rover to begin moving
Afghan militants attack SKorean firm 3 times
Academics hope history in video games spurs interest
| Technology
|
US father, sons charged with ritual child sex abuse
Qualcomm announces multi-mode high-speed chips
| Technology
|
BMW to invest $735 million in China joint venture
SKorea, Peru seek to conclude free-trade deal
Motorola eyes $4.5 billion home/networks unit sale: sources
| Technology
|
China hints at yuan rise ahead of Obama's visit
Cell phone market fall ended in Q3: Gartner
| Technology
|
APEC ministers reject early end to stimulus
In Taiwan, baseball is the favourite game
BMW, Chinese partner to invest in expansion
High oil demand, price rise a threat: IEA
Visiting doctor heals children deaf from Gaza wars
AB InBev reports $1.5 billion quarterly net profit
Powerless Danish government calls for help on gang war
S.Korea's Hyosung group drops bid for Hynix
Peru slum goes cutting edge as 'fog catcher'
China's Zhang Yimou to release black comedy: report
Japanese wholesale prices down for 10th month
Modernity casts spell over magic tattoos in Cambodia
Britney Spears tells critics read my lips: it's for fans
China seeks 'fair' climate deal
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights