Report: Israel puts Golan pullout on table

PARIS, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu sent a message to Syria that Israel would discuss a Golan Heights pullout to advance peace, Arab media reported.

Satellite television channel Al Arabiya reported Thursday that the message, expected to be delivered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Syrian President Bashar Assad, indicates Israel's willingness to withdraw from the Golan Heights as part of a peace agreement between the two countries, Haaretz said.

Netanyahu met with Sarkozy in Paris Wednesday, focusing on reviving Middle East peace efforts and Iran's nuclear program. In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Sarkozy said they agreed to revive the Middle East peace process. However, they said no agreement was reached on freezing construction in West Bank settlements, a demand sought by Palestinians and the United States.

Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem denied the report concerning talks with Syria, but a senior political official said the prime minister was considering French involvement because of Sarkozy's ties to both him and Assad.

Other officials told Haaretz that Israeli and U.S. officials would be prefer Netanyahu focus on the Palestinian peace talks. On Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel would be prepared to begin peace negotiations with Syria immediately, as long as the no preconditions were involved.