Italian foreign minister stresses Syrian role in Gaza peace efforts

ItalyRome - Speaking ahead of a Middle East visit, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Syria can play an important role in ensuring the success of an Egyptian-brokered end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

"Divisions have emerged" between Hamas representatives in the Gaza Strip and the militant Islamist group's exiled leadership in Syria over a ceasefire proposal to end the Israeli military offensive, Frattini said Thursday in an interview with Adnkronos International
(AKI) news agency.

"It is evident that the role of Damascus is important to dissuade the more difficult members of Hamas, those that do not seem to accept the Egyptian proposal," Frattini said.

Frattini is scheduled on Monday to begin a trip including talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister, Ehud Barak.

Frattini also plans to meet Palestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

With respect to Syria's involvement in the diplomatic talks, Frattini told AKI he plans a subsequent visit to Damascus. He did not specify a date.

Frattini also reaffirmed Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government support for the Egyptian ceasefire proposal.

The plan, Frattini said, provides for a "suspension of rocket attacks" and the "end of arms smuggling" by Hamas militants in Gaza - two activities against which Israel says its military offensive in the enclave is targeted.

Asked about criticism levelled at Israel for its offensive in the Gaza Strip, where over 1,000 people, including many civilians and children, have been killed, Frattini replied: "It is neither proportional nor disproportionate, but the conflict itself is a tragedy." (dpa)

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