January 9, 2007 (LPAC)--Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem told Arabiya Television, as also reported in today's Ynet ahead of President George Bush's arrival in Israel, "We are by no means seeking a military solution against Israel. We are ready for negotiations with Israel, to realize the peace.

"The Road Map does not tangibly exist. We are committed to the Arab peace initiative. Unfortunately this initiative has not been marketed correctly by the Arab nations. We came to participate in the Annapolis peace conference based on our willingness to negotiate."

Addressing relations between Damascus and Tehran, he denied "the existence of a Syrian-Iranian axis parallel to the Saudi-Egyptian axis. "However, Syria has always made an effort to improve the relations between Arab nations and Iran, because the geographical and historical reality dictates this."

Addressing the leadership crisis in Lebanon, he expressed hope that it would be solved and a new Lebanese president could be elected by the next Arab summit, which is set to convene in late January.