Embassies part of peace deal with Israel, says Syrian president

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, he told the TV satellite channel Al Jazeera.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert conveyed a message to Bashar through Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan that Israel is serious in seeking peace with Damascus, Israeli officials said.