Barak: Assad willing to consider talks

JERUSALEM, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Syrian President Bashar Assad is willing to consider a peace agreement with Israel.

But a deal could be stymied because Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly opposes the plan, not believing Assad is serious in making peace with Israel, Haaretz reported Monday.

Barak made his comments in an interview with Israel Radio Monday. He said Assad would find a willing partner if he reaches out to Israel.

"I, as well as others in the defense system, believe negotiations with the Syrians are a positive step for the state of Israel, but of course we need a mutual agreement for such negotiations," Barak said last week.

But Monday Barak refused to comment on whether a new deal is in the works. He did say that Israel would protect its security interests under any conditions.

U.S. Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been working with Assad for the past several months on a plan to restart negotiations between the two countries, Haaretz said.