Turkish, Syrian leaders discuss Iran, mideast in Istanbul talks

Turkish and Syrian leaders on Saturday urged a diplomatic solution to tensions over Iran 's nuclear program and accused Israel of hampering peace efforts in the Middle East . The dispute between Iran and Western powers should be "resolved without being protracted further, through diplomatic means," President Abdullah Gul told a joint news conference with his visiting Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad following their talks in Istanbul . Assad lent support to recently intensified Turkish efforts to help resolve the standoff, including a new proposal to host renewed talks between Iranian and Western officials. "We would like Turkey to keep up its positive role," Assad said. Assad added that any country could use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, saying, "We want to see that the Middle East free from any weapons of mass destruction." The two leaders said they also discussed the situation in the Middle East, denouncing controversial Israeli plans to build fresh settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem . "This is a very dangerous trend," Gul said, warning that the expansion of settlements might lead "to things getting out of control." "I don't think conditions are ripe for a successful mediation because Israel doesn't appear to be ready for peace," Assad said. He said Syria is still working for progress to reach peace with Israel . "If there's even is one percent risk of war, we're working to eliminate that," Assad said when asked whether the two rivals could go to war over their conflicts. Gul said Syria has repeatedly expressed readiness to resume the talks, but that Israel has failed to follow suit. " Israel isn't ready for honest mediation," Assad said, accusing Israel of hostile policies toward the Palestinians and a refusal to compromise that hampers the Mideast peace process. Gul said Turkey would like to help contribute to the peace process for the stability and welfare of the region. Turkey mediated four rounds of indirect talks between Israel and Syria in 2008, but the process collapsed when Israel launched an offensive into the Gaza Strip at the end of the year. Since then, Turkey 's ties with Israel , a close regional ally, have badly deteriorated amid vehement criticism from Ankara of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians. Syria has demanded the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Golan Heights as a condition for peace. Israel 's current government rejects preconditions. On Iran 's controversial nuclear program, both Syria and Turkey have expressed support for the peaceful use of nuclear energy by everyone, urging a diplomatic solution to the international standoff. Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders on Friday gave their backing for indirect peace talks with Israel , clearing the way for the Obama administration's first sustained on-the-ground Mideast peace effort. US Mideast Envoy George Mitchell will now shuttle between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders for up to four months to try to narrow the vast gaps on the terms of Palestinian statehood.