DAMASCUS, Syria - Syria has reportedly rejected Israel's demand that Damascus cut its ties with Iran and Arab militant groups as a condition for a peace agreement.
On Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that for any peace agreement to take place between their two countries, Syria would have to stop supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and cut ties with Iran.
Saturday's editorial in Tishrin, which reflects official policy, said Israeli could not lay down preconditions ahead of negotiations, which the two countries just restarted after an eight year hiatus.
The editorial states that Damascus does not bargain over its relations with other countries and people. But it then reconfirmed early statements that the government wants `real peace in the region,' stability and prosperity and Syria's objective to regain all of the Golan Heights.
Israel captured the plateau in the 1967 Middle East war, and many Israelis see it as a valuable buffer against attack. Today the Golan Heights are home to 18,000 Israelis who run thriving wine and tourism industries.
According to the poll, only 19 percent of Israelis are willing to cede the entire Golan Heights, down from 32 percent a month ago.
