Israel seeks peace with Syria

Mohammad Naji Otari, Syria’s prime minister, greets Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, in Damascus [EPA]

In spite of continuous tensions, Syria and Israel seem prepared to resume stalled peace talks.

An accord between the two countries would include an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which has been occupied since 1967. 

Direct US- brokered talks over this territory collapsed in 2000.

This time it is Turkey that is mediating and Recep Tayyib Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister, was in Damascus on Saturday to convey a message on Israel’s readiness to pullout from the Golan in return for peace.

But just how serious are Turkey’s mediation efforts and what is the likelihood of success?

What would be the fallout of any peace agreement between Syria and Israel on the rest of the region?

Inside Story, with presenter Darren Jordon, investigates.

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This episode of Inside Story aired on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 17:30 GMT