The Israeli president, Moshe Katsav, has invited his Syrian counterpart, Bashar al-Assad, to visit Jerusalem for talks on a peace accord.
Mr Katsav went on Israeli public radio to make the invitation.
Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, said yesterday that he was ready to forge peace with the Palestinians and Syrians, but only if they were prepared to show a willingness to bring an end to 'terrorism'.
He said that at a time when Syria was talking about resuming negotiations with Israel, it was aiding the Hizbollah group in southern Lebanon in a 'revolution against Israel'.
Syria has said the invitation was not a serious response to its calls for peace talks.
