Israel's Peres optimistic on peace talks

JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres said Tuesday in Jerusalem upcoming peace talks in Annapolis, Md., were a "tremendous opportunity."

Following a briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Peres said he was optimistic about making progress with Palestinian negotiators and said the coming talks would be different, Ynetnews.com reported.

"Annapolis is a tremendous opportunity. It won't be an instantaneous solution to everything but I have spoken to the Arab leaders and there is a spirit of trust and optimism there," Peres said. "This is different from Oslo, without the support of the Americans. Today no one is twisting Israel's arm, no one is writing off its yearning for peace."

Olmert said he hoped that any progress made with the Palestinians would lead to a similar path to peace with Syria, the report said.

While the date of the U.S. talks hasn't been formalized, it is expected in the last week of November. Olmert said Syrian participation in the conference "would be fitting," the Jerusalem Post reported.