Syria shuns Sharon condition for talks

DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Sharaa said Thursday his country is ready to restart peace negotiations without pre-conditions from any side.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani al-Malka, Sharaa said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's condition that Syria evict hardline Palestinian groups from Damascus "is an unacceptable requirement."

"Syria is trying to boost the atmosphere for peace in the region," Sharaa added.

For his part, Malka said he relayed a letter from Jordanian King Abdullah to Syrian President Bashar Assad "regarding coordination between the two countries over the peace process, ensuring security and the situation in Iraq and Darfur."