Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said he would be willing to sign a peace treaty with Israel in exchange for the Golan Heights, but categorically refused peace if the condition was to end relations with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.

In an interview with an Italian magazine, Assad said preliminary talks for real negotiations with Israel were underway. The Syrian president added that they awaited the election of the new American president.

Assad said Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s “friendship” with Israel was not an obstacle to peace. “In the past, we dealt with Presidents Jimmy Carter  and George Bush senior despite their deep ties to the Hebrew state,” he noted.

-NOW Staff