Syria’s foreign minister held a rare meeting with an Israeli delegation in Paris on Tuesday, the Syrian state-run news agency reported. The talks were brokered by the United States, which has been pushing for Syria and Israel to normalize relations, the report said.

The SANA news agency said Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met with Israeli officials to discuss deescalating tensions and restoring a 1974 ceasefire agreement. The talks resulted in “understandings that support stability in the region,” according the agency.

“These talks are taking place under US mediation, as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in Syria and preserving the unity and integrity of its territory,” it added.

There was no immediate comment from Israel on Tuesday’s talks, which Hebrew media outlets earlier reported would be attended by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who is a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack.

Dermer and al-Shaibani previously met in Azerbaijan late last month, and held another meeting in Paris the week before that.

“The United States continues to support any efforts that will bring lasting stability and peace between Israel and its neighbors,” a senior Trump administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, told the Associated Press after Tuesday’s meeting.

The official noted US President Donald Trump’s outlined “vision of a prosperous Middle East” that includes a “stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors — including Israel,” adding that “we want to do everything we can to help achieve that.”

Tensions have........

© The Times of Israel