Sources: Israel encouraged by Syria moves

JERUSALEM, July 29 (UPI) -- Syria is taking significant steps to show it is serious about its peace talks with Israel, sources say.

Citing unnamed government sources, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday that Israeli leaders are encouraged that Syria is taking "tangible" confidence building measures.

The Post said its sources weren't clear if those measures included interdicting arms meant for Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon or lowering the alert level of Syrian troops in the Golan Heights.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he was pleased with steps Syrian President Bashir Assad was taking, predicting talks with Damascus would bear fruit in the form of forcing Syria to reassess its alliances with Hezbollah and Iran.