Israel rejects Syria's call for peace talks

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Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has refused a request by Syria to restart indirect peace talks.

Lieberman rejected the call for a new round of discussions after meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, who had travelled to Israel carrying Syria's request.

A major sticking point is Syria's demand for a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights. Israel has occupied the heights since it invaded the territory in 1967.

Despite a total lack of progress, Verhagen said there is a new momentum in the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis, and that momentum should not be lost.

Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman attends a news conference with his Dutch counterpart Maxime Verhagen (not pictured) after their meeting in Jerusalem June 24, 2009. REUTERS/Ammar Awad