Turkey: Syria, Israel direct talks foiled by Gaza offensive

TurkeyDavos, Switzerland  - Israel and Syria were on the path to direct talks but the progress was set back by the three-week offensive in the Gaza Strip, Turkish officials said Thursday while attending the World Economic Forum.

Turkey had hosted four rounds of indirect talks between the two nations, who are still at a state of war since 1948. Damascus called off after the discussions after the Israeli offensive began.

"We had problems with only a few words," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, referring to negotiations which had gone on when Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was in Ankara just days before the offensive began.

He said there was a good chance the process would have led to direct talks.

"We were very close to direct talks between Israel and Syria right before Gaza war," Turkish Foreign Minister, Ali Babacan, also said separately. (dpa)

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