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Israel Hopes Border Quiet with Syria, Lebanon Continue
The death of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad has dampened Israeli expectation of an early resumption of peace talks with Syria, but the Jewish state hopes its borders with Syrian and Lebanon would keep quiet.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told his cabinet at its weekly meeting that it appeared at first glance that the tranquility in the borders would be maintained in the immediate future.
Assad died of a heart attack on Saturday at age 69, as the peace process of the Middle East was at a crucial stage following Israel's withdrawal from the south Lebanon.
In a statement issued by his office on Saturday, Barak expressed his "understanding of the grief" of the Syrian people and willingness to resume the peace talks.
But Israeli newspapers said on Sunday that as Damascus focuses its efforts on ensuring a smooth transfer of power, it seems unlikely to resume the Israeli-Syrian peace talks early.
Peace talks between the long-time foes of Israel and Syria resumed in December in the United States after an impasse of almost four years, but they broke down only weeks later in dispute over the fate of the occupied Golan Heights, which Syria demands back as the price of peace.
Assad's son and designated heir Bashar, who is expected to be chosen by parliament later this month to become president, is unlikely to make concessions to win a deal with Israel, analysts said.
Israel was among the first countries to respond to the Assad's death. It said it will continue along the road of peace with the new leadership that will emerge in Syria, "while standing firm on its vital interests."
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