Ankara - Syria wants Turkey to continue in its role as a mediator in the now-stalled indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel, NTV television reported on Tuesday.

Before the indirect talks could begin again, a new government must be formed in Israel and the humanitarian crisis suffered by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip must end, NTV quoted Turkish Foreign Ministry officials.

The details were discussed at a meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallim and his Turkish counterpart Ali Babacan at a conference in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh yesterday to raise reconstruction aid for Palestinians in the territory.

Turkey was host to four rounds of indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel before the process was halted following Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip that began in December.

Turkish leaders were extremely critical of Israel's military actions with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying a number of times that they were a "humanitarian disgrace" and a "stain on history's page."

At the same time, however, Turkish officials have said they are willing to resume their role as a mediator between Tel Aviv and Damascus. (dpa)