Israeli President Moshe Katzav shook the hand of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Vatican on Friday, Israeli Public Radio reported.

The radio said Assad took the initiative to shake Katsav's hand a second time after the funeral of the Pope John Paul, the radio said.

Meanwhile, Katzav also spoke in Persian with Iran's President Mohammad Khatami at the same occasion, said the radio.

Syria is officially at war with Israel and Iran does not recognize the Jewish state.