The Syrian president has dismissed claims that Syria does not want Turkey to play an intermediary role in its peace talks with Israel and reiterated that Syria supports Turkey's mediation.

“The peace talks that were executed with the mediation of Turkey have indicated Syria's will for peace. In the same way, they have proven that Israel is not serious about the establishment of peace. I guarantee that Turkey is a trustworthy mediator during the talks,” said Bashar al-Assad at a joint press conference with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during the latter's visit to Damascus.
Assad also expressed his happiness over Chavez's second visit to Syria and said they exchanged views on bilateral relations between Syria and Venezuela, as well as on regional problems and the Middle East peace process.
Underlining the parallel stances between Damascus and the Latin America country, the Syrian president said: “You all know the stance of Chavez on the issue of Palestine, on the Golan Heights and on the Israeli assaults against the Gaza Strip. We confirm that Syria is determined to continue the peace talks with Israel, and we also want Israel to give our lands back to us. ”
“We want Israel to give back the Golan Heights to Syria, and we also want Israel to lift the brutal blockade against Palestine,” said Chavez, describing Israel as an enemy of peace. Urging U.S. President Barack Obama to keep his promises to Palestine by stopping the U.S. political and economic support of Israel, Chavez said: “Obama talks about the establishment of peace. We expect Obama to act in parallel with his promises.”
(Source: todayszaman.com)