DAMASCUS, Syria (CNN) -- Syria hopes a series of indirect talks with Israel will soon lead to direct negotiations, President Bashar al-Assad told CNN's Cal Perry Thursday in an exclusive interview. French President Nicolas Sarkozy (right) and Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meet in Damascus. Al-Assad said that possibility was discussed during a summit attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the leaders of Turkey and Qatar. Word of the Syrian proposal came during a landmark visit to Damascus by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad took part in a summit Thursday that also included the leaders of Turkey and Qatar.
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Syrian president raises possibility of direct talks with Israel
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Syria says U.S. must be involved before direct talks can begin
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Syria and Israel involved in indirect talks in Turkey for past few months
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy currently visiting Syria
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Israeli officials did not immediately confirm whether they had received a copy of @placeholder's proposals, but they did say they were trying to set up another round of talks with Turkish mediation.
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"We are still interested in the continuation of the talks with a genuine intention to reach an agreement," an @placeholder official said.