We are ready for mediation, says Ahmet Davutoglu

Ankara is ready to mediate talks between Israel and Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in Cairo on Tuesday.

"If there is a political will on both sides, then we are ready for indirect Turkish mediation between Syria and Israel," he said.

The last round of Israel-Syria talks under Turkey’s mediation collapsed in 2008 when Israel launched a devastating military offensive in Gaza. Turkey’s government heavily criticized Israeli actions then.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in December 2009 said denies Turkey’s involvement in negotiations with Syria. “If Damascus wants to hold talks, then it will be direct negotiation without secret diplomacy and mediation, and certainly, without Turkey,” said Avigdor Lieberman.

Meanwhile Syria’s government sticks out for talks without preconditions and with Turkey’s mediation.