Olmert Offers Olive Branch To Siniora
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Olmert yesterday invited the Lebanese prime minister to begin peace talks following Israel’s recent war against Hezbollah guerrillas, but he ruled out such negotiations with Syria.
Mr. Olmert said Israel made significant gains in its battle against the Lebanese guerrilla group. Mr. Olmert has been heavily criticized for his handling of the war, in which Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel.
Mr. Olmert called on Prime Minister Siniora to enter peace talks, saying the time has passed for indirect mediation between the nations.There was no immediate reaction from Beirut. But after the war, Mr. Siniora rejected similar calls by Mr. Olmert, saying Lebanon would “be the last Arab country that could sign a peace agreement with Israel.”
In a speech to parliament, Mr. Olmert rejected such talks with Syria for now, saying President Assad must halt his support for Palestinian Arab militant groups.
