According to a report from al-Arabiya, during his meeting in Paris this week with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu relayed a message to Damascus, informing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that he is willing to withdraw from the Golan Heights. The report actually states the prime minister signaled Israel understands that such a move is required, adding that the details of the withdrawal must be discussed.

Al-Arabia explains that President Sarkozy would present an offer to Assad that �would replace Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin�s commitment�.

Officials in the Prime Minister�s Office on Thursday morning released an official response, denying the prime minister sent such a message, stating the report is not based in reality.

Earlier this week, Assad released a statement that if the Golan is not returned in a peaceful arrangement, then �resistance� would be viewed as a legitimate means towards accomplishing this goal.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)