UN urges Israel to accept Syrian overtures

The U.N. special coordinator for Middle East peace, Terje Roed-Larsen, said Tuesday he believed there is a genuine interest in Syria to resume peace talks with Israel. However, the Israeli response was cool.

In an interview broadcast on Israel's Channel 1 TV, Larsen said: 'I do believe that there is a genuine interest in Syria to go back to the table in order to find a solution to the conflict with Israel. ... 'I would urge both parties ... to start exploring (whether) there is a possibility ... (of going) back to the table....

'It's vital, necessary, crucial at this point of time where the region is in such turmoil ... to try to resume peace talks because that will also calm other conflicts in the region,' he said.