According to individuals briefed on the negotiations, Syria is speeding up negotiations with Israel under pressure from the US for a security agreement that would fall well short of a comprehensive peace treaty but that Damascus believes will stop Israel’s recent land acquisitions.
According to four of the people who spoke to Reuters, Washington is working to ensure that enough progress is achieved by the time world leaders convene for the UN General Assembly in New York at the end of this month so that President Donald Trump may declare a breakthrough.
The sources cited Israel’s harsh posture during months of negotiations and Syria’s weakened position after sectarian violence in its south fueled cries for division, saying that even a minor agreement would be an accomplishment.
