Syria ready to resume Israel peace talks?

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Syria is reportedly ready to resume peace negotiations with Israel if the United States guarantees the a serious settlement.

The London-based Saudi daily al-Hayat quoted sources as saying Syrian President Bashar Assad told U.S. officials who visited him recently: "We are ready to resume peace negotiations over the Golan Heights if (Israeli Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon is ready and serious about it and if there are clear U.S. guarantees that the talks would be resolute and fruitful."

Assad met last week with U.S. Rep. Daryl Issa, R-Calif., and former Ambassadors Martin Indyk and Edward Gabriel.

Israeli-Syrian peace talks broke up in early 2000.

Assad also discussed Washington's growing pressure over increased Syrian military presence Lebanon.

Assad said he was surprised at the U.S. attitude at a time Syria was cooperating with the United States over Iraq, especially by tightening control over its border to help curb chaos and violence in the war-torn Arab country.