Israel says Syria willing to renew indirect talks via Turkey- report

Friday it was reported that Israel’s caretaker prime minister, Ehud Olmert intends to set a date for a fifth round of indirect talks with Syria, mediated by Turkey.  Â

A source in Olmert's office had earlier said the Israeli leader had told Syria via European officials that he wanted to resume Turkish-mediated talks that took place earlier this year, and had "received a positive indication" from the Syrians.

Talks have been frozen for the past few months due to the political situation in Israel, but in light of the fact that an alternative government was not established and early elections are planned, Olmert has decided to renew the talks in his few remaining months in office.

Turkey has so far hosted four rounds of indirect talks between Israel and Syria with the aim of bringing the two sides together for direct talks, but contacts have been suspended for months because of political upheaval in Israel.

Direct Israeli negotiations with Syria broke down in 2000 in a dispute over the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured in the 1967 war and later annexed, and whose return Syria demands as part of a peace deal.