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Israel

Legal delay scuppers Syria peace talks

Indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria delayed because key Israeli negotiator did not receive legal approval.

September 19, 2008 15:07

ByAnonymous, Anonymous

1 min read

A round of indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria scheduled to take place in Turkey this week was cancelled with just one day's notice because the key Israeli negotiator had yet to receive legal approval to participate in the talks.

The cause, government officials said, was the delay in receiving legal approval for Yoram Turbowicz, until last month Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's chief of staff, to continue leading the Israeli delegation.

When talks began in May, Mr Olmert appointed Mr Turbowicz - a close confidante - to lead the Israeli delegation. The talks have so far been held in Istanbul without direct contact between Israel and Syria and under the auspices of the Turkish government.

Mr Turbowicz quit his post as Mr Olmert's chief-of-staff in early August, just after the prime minister announced his intention to resign following the Kadima primaries.