A Syrian delegation including Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was taking part in a new round of negotiations with Israel on Monday.
– Talks were coordinated and mediated by Washington
– The discussions were focused on reaching “a balanced security agreement” between the two countries.
– The US-mediated talks were being held in Paris.
– The negotiations were focused on reactivating a 1974 disengagement agreement and guaranteeing “the withdrawal of Israeli forces” to their positions before the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
– After al-Assad’s ousting, Israel sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights for decades.
– Israel has also carried out repeated incursions deeper into Syrian territory since then, as well as bombings, and has said it wants a demilitarized zone in the country’s south.
– The United States has been pushing Syria and Israel to reach an agreement that would halt hostilities between the two countries, technically at war since 1948.
– “The resumption of these negotiations is confirmation of Syria’s firm commitment to restoring its non-negotiable national rights,” the government source told.
– Intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama was also part of the delegation.
– Last month, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the demand would endanger his country and urged Israel to respect the 1974 deal.