Israel's ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said his government is ready to open peace talks with Syria.

VOA: standard.2009.04.26

"I would be happy to hold negotiations with Syria this evening, but without preconditions and ultimatums,"

VOA: standard.2009.04.26

The former Bush administration had largely shunned contact with Syria, accusing it of facilitating the transit of Islamic militants through its territory to Iraq, and of supporting extremists in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

VOA: standard.2009.06.09

But for now at least those days seem over. With Ankara working hard to improve relations with Syria,Iraq and even the prime minister's visit to Tehran, few people see little chance of a renewal of that alliance anytime soon.

VOA: standard.2009.10.27

"I think that the Americans want to improve their relations with Syria to weaken Iran and to further isolate it in the region, so I don't think the Americans need Syria as a mediator with Iran, because that would improve relations between Tehran and Damascus,"

VOA: standard.2009.03.18

Syria has been allied with Tehran since the outset of the war between Iran and Iraq in 1980.

VOA: standard.2009.03.18

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is offering to mediate between the West and Iran and diplomatic initiative that could further help in Syria's own rapprochement with the U.S.and Europe.

VOA: standard.2009.03.18

The Gaza war halted indirect Israeli-Syrian talks mediated by Turkey and drew fierce criticism from Mr.Erdogan, who has since emphasized ties with anti-Israel neighbors like Iran and Syria.

VOA: standard.2010.06.01

Kelly said the visit to Syria is in line with President Barack Obama's commitment to outreach with regional adversaries, reaffirmed in his recent policy speech on U.S.-Islamic relations in Egypt.

VOA: standard.2009.06.09

That means peace between Israel and Palestinians, between Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon, and the full acceptance of Israel and normalization of relations with all of its neighbors in the region."

VOA: standard.2009.10.08

But U.S.officials have lately credited Syria with tightening border controls with Iraq and largely refraining from interference in Lebanon's election process, which culminated in this week's victory by the pro-Western "March 14th" coalition.

VOA: standard.2009.06.09

Many Iraqi members of parliament and other politicians condemned the recent terror attacks in interviews on Iraqi TV, with some of them accusing Iran, some of them accusing Syria and others accusing Al Qa'eda of the bombings.

VOA: standard.2009.08.29