Ankara  - Israeli officials were in Istanbul on Wednesday holding indirect talks with Syrian officials under Turkish mediation, the private NTV television station reported.

Citing "Ankara sources," NTV reported that two aides of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were meeting with Turkish Foreign Ministry assistant undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry had earlier confirmed that talks had started. Announcements of the indirect talks were also made in Jerusalem and Damascus. (dpa)