Around the World: Syria

Israel 'to return Golan'

Two independent Syrian publications reported yesterday that Israel has passed a message to Damascus through Turkey's prime minister that it is prepared to return the Golan Heights to Syria in exchange for a peace treaty.

Neither the Syrian government nor Israeli officials would comment on the reports. But, if confirmed, the message could be a sign of progress in back-channel contacts between the two nations, years after formal peace negotiations broke down.