Assad says ready for 'normal' ties with Israel

DUBAI (AFP) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Damascus would establish "normal" relations including the opening of embassies if a peace accord was sealed with Israel, in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

"From the very start of the peace process, we have been speaking of normal relations" with the Jewish state as part of a peace deal, he told the Arab satellite channel Al-Jazeera.

"Whether it's called normal relations or a normalisation makes little difference. These are normal relations, just like any relations between two states with embassies, links and treaties," said Assad.

"Things could deteriorate, just like they could improve. Relations could be warm, just as they could be cold," he said. "This is all part of the sovereignty of each state. This is what we ...