Israeli, Syrian representatives to meet next week

     The fifth round of Turkish-mediated talks between Israel and Syria is expected to begin Sunday, following a visit by French President Nicolas Sarokozy to Damascus, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat reported Wednesday, quoting a French source. According to the source, the upcoming round of talks will be "of decisive importance," as it will deal with the demarcation of the border and will determine whether a future peace agreement would be based on the international borderline from 1923 or on the June 4, 1967 lines. The source told al-Hayat that Sarkozy is very interested in playing a role in future direct negotiations between Israel and Syria. The London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper reported that Paris received the green light from Washington and Jerusalem to mediate between Israel and Syria when the talks become direct. According to the report, Israel and the United States agreed to have France sponsor the talks alongside the US, and guarantee that the security-related side of the agreement is implemented. Sarkozy is expected to take part in a four-way summit Thursday with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.Sarkozy is expected to take part in a four-way summit Thursday with Syrian President Bashar Assad, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.Ahead of Sarkozy's visit, which will end a three-and-a-half-year boycott of Syria – since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri – the French president has relayed messages to Saudi King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, briefing them on the details of his visit to Damascus. The French source said that in his message, Sarkozy promised "to hold a dialogue with Syria with his eyes open to its outcomes. If the dialogue bears no results, it will be halted." (15,17)