Word: damascus
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...borders, will remain on the table for Israel's new PM to consider. Even Syria, a prime supporter of Hamas, spent part of 2008 in indirect peace talks with Israel mediated by Turkey. But Syria has broken off its talks for now, destroying any chance that Damascus, on behalf of Israel, might put pressure on the exiled Hamas leaders residing there...
...Egyptians are suggesting that both sides agree to an immediate truce, then work out long-term details on lifting the Israeli blockade of Gaza. However, one member of the Hamas politburo in Damascus complained to TIME that the proposal does not call for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. "Without that, it's a joke," he said...
...remain hopeful that all influential states in the region - including Syria - will do their part to help end this violence and human tragedy," says a French official, referring to Sarkozy's appeal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exert influence on Hamas when the two men met in Damascus on Tuesday. "We think Syria could greatly contribute to peace in the region in general terms but could also help end the current crisis, in particular by making Hamas see reason...
...speech televised on Al-Jazeera the previous night. Like Hamas itself - a group classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and E.U., but which provides much-needed social and welfare services to Palestinians - its exiled leader is a bit of a paradox. Mashaal, who has been based in Damascus since 1999, preaches a fiery brand of militancy but has indicated a willingness to accept the existence of a Jewish state (which Hamas's charter rejects) alongside a Palestinian...
...Sarkozy is expected to press Assad to help find an end to the Gaza bloodshed - notably by pressuring Hamas to fulfill Israeli demands that it stop firing rockets. Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshal seems willing to accept that condition in exchange for Israel's reopening border crossings that have economically asphyxiated Gaza - an issue that could eventually force a change in Egypt's closure of its frontier...