Peace with current Israeli govt impossible: Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Thursday that peace in the Middle East was "impossible" because of the actions of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The establishment of peace in the Middle East is impossible because of the absence of an Israeli partner," Assad told reporters after talks with visiting Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

Israel's pursuit of settlement construction and its occupation of Arab territory conquered in 1967 were the "real obstacle" to peace and pushed the region toward "more wars and tension," Assad said.

He said Syria "seriously wants to establish a just and comprehensive peace... through Turkish-sponsored indirect negotiations" with Israel but cannot engage in such talks because of the current climate.

Netanyahu's government "cannot be considered a partner as long as it responds to calls for peace with settlements and the Judaization of (Muslim) holy sites" in the occupied West Bank including east Jerusalem, Assad said.

He urged Italy and the European Union to put pressure on Israel.

Turkish-brokered indirect talks between Israel and Syria were launched in May 2008 but they were suspended when Israel launched its destructive offensive against the Gaza Strip that December.

Israel has angered the international community by announcing plans to build 1,600 new homes for Jewish settlers in annexed Arab east Jerusalem and to include two contested West Bank shrines as part of its national heritage.

The establishment of peace in the Middle East is impossible because of the absence of an Israeli partner

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad