French President Nicolas Sarkozy is meeting with the leaders of Syria, Turkey and Qatar in a bid to boost efforts towards Middle East peace.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is meeting the leaders of Syria, Turkey and Qatar in a bid to boost efforts towards Middle East peace.
Mr Sarkozy is on a two-day trip to Damascus, aimed at restoring ties between France and Syria.
Mr Sarkozy is on a two-day trip to Damascus, aimed at cementing revived relations between France and Syria.
France, which currently holds the EU presidency, hopes to help mediation efforts in Middle East.
France, which currently holds the EU presidency, hopes to help mediation efforts in Middle East.
Mr Sarkozy has offered to support direct talks between Syria and Israel when the time is right.
Mr Sarkozy has offered to support direct talks between Syria and Israel when the time is right.
Damascus says it is open to the proposal.
Damascus says it is open to the proposal.
Relations between Paris and Damascus plummeted after the murder of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Relations between Paris and Damascus plummeted after the murder of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Syria's critics accuse Damascus of being behind the assassination, a charge Syria has firmly denied.
Syria's critics accuse Damascus of being behind the assassination, a charge Syria has firmly denied.
Mr Sarkozy and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad held bilateral talks on Wednesday.
Mr Sarkozy and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad held bilateral talks on Wednesday.
This is the first visit to the former French colony by a Western head of state in five years.
This is the first visit to the former French colony by a Western head of state in five years.
Mr Sarkozy hosted Mr Assad in July and correspondents say he appears determined to bring Syria, a long-time foe of the US and Israel, back into the international fold.
Mr Sarkozy hosted Mr Assad in July and correspondents say he appears determined to bring Syria, a long-time foe of the US and Israel, back into the international fold.
French mediation has already brought about an easing of tensions between Syria and France's close ally Lebanon.
French mediation has already brought about an easing of tensions between Syria and France's close ally Lebanon.
'Tentative' talks
'Tentative' talks
The French and Syrian leaders were joined on Thursday by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani for the peace summit.
The French and Syrian leaders were joined on Thursday by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani for the peace summit.
Turkey has been mediating indirect talks between the Syrians and the Israelis. Qatar hosted the conference which brought about an internal peace deal in Lebanon in May.
Turkey has been mediating indirect talks between the Syrians and the Israelis. Qatar hosted the conference which brought about an internal peace deal in Lebanon in May.
But the BBC's Bethany Bell in Damascus says progress is likely to be tentative at best.
But the BBC's Bethany Bell in Damascus says progress is likely to be tentative at best.
Our correspondent says peace in the Middle East depends on other factors, including the arrival of a more stable leadership in Israel and a new US president.
Our correspondent says peace in the Middle East depends on other factors, including the arrival of a more stable leadership in Israel and a new US president.
Syria says direct peace talks with Israel can only take place after John McCain or Barak Obama is installed in the White House next year.
Syria says direct peace talks with Israel can only take place after John McCain or Barak Obama is installed in the White House next year.
Israel is also facing a change in leadership. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, currently facing a series of investigations into corruption allegations, has promised to resign after his Kadima party chooses a new leader in a primary election on 17 September.
Israel is also facing a change in leadership. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, currently facing a series of investigations into corruption allegations, has promised to resign after his Kadima party chooses a new leader in a primary election on 17 September. />
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