Netanyahu: Israel wants direct Syria talks

JERUSALEM, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Israel is ready and willing to conduct direct negotiations with Syria without preconditions, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said.

Speaking Monday during a meeting of the Israeli Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Netanyahu told lawmakers he has informed French President Nicolas Sarkozy of his willingness to engage Syria in a direct dialogue, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"I spoke to Sarkozy, and he told me that the Syrian stance is a return to 1967 lines (borders)," the Post quoted Netanyahu as saying. "Sarkozy spoke with the Turkish mediator that the Syrians are suggesting. I (said) that we're interested in direct negotiations, and that if we're talking about mediators, I'd prefer (France)."

He also told Knesset members that Israel's "central problem" was keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, the newspaper reported.

"In the last year, two things have happened," the prime minister said. "Iran has advanced its military nuclear program, and the international community has lost its legitimacy."