Israel and Syria deny accord

An Israeli television report that a peace accord between Israel and Syria will be finalised within the next few weeks has prompted strongly worded denials from both governments.

TV Channel One's correspondent Amnon Abramovich said in his report: "I would say that within three to five weeks we can expect [Israeli prime-minister Ehud] Barak to submit to the Knesset, the cabinet and the Israeli public an agreement with Syria, which would also include a solution to the Lebanon problem."

"The professional echelons have already finished their work, the details are clear, the formulas have been prepared and the time for making the decision has arrived."

According to the correspondent, "the border line between Israel and Syria will pass between the 4 June 1967 border and the international border, with Lake Tiberias and the Jordan River remaining under full Israeli control and sovereignty."

The agreement would also provide for security arrangements satisfactory to Israeli negotiators, control over water sources and "the preservation of Israel's national dignity.

'Good guess'

Israeli Education Minister, Yossi Sarid, who was in the television studio, called Mr Abramovitz's information "a good guess."

"It's not impossible that an agreement between us and Syria will be sealed within several weeks," Mr Sarid said.