Syria Will Take Part In Summit

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is welcoming Syria's announcement that it's sending a representative to the Mideast peace conference in the U.S.<br/><br/>It means a clean sweep of Arab nations

Sunday, November 25th 2007, 2:10 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is welcoming Syria's announcement that it's sending a representative to the Mideast peace conference in the U.S.

It means a clean sweep of Arab nations attending the high-stakes summit for Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Syria agreed to send its deputy foreign minister to the three days of meetings in Annapolis, Maryland, and Washington.

Syria wants to discuss the Golan Heights. Israel annexed the strategic plateau after the 1967 war. It's not on the agenda, but nations can bring up matters they want discussed.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel first wants Syria to break out of Iran's orbit and stop harboring Palestinian and Lebanese militants opposed to Israel's existence. But, the government says the appearance of a high-ranking Syrian official is
a positive development.