Israel, Syria concluding Turkey talks on Thursday

Ankara: Israel and Syria will conclude a fresh round of indirect peace talks between mediated by Turkey on Thursday, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Wednesday.

"The third round of talks between Israel and Syria started in Istanbul yesterday and they will end tomorrow," Babacan told a news conference in Ankara.

Babacan said that progress in the indirect talks could lay the groundwork for direct negotiations.

"Talks are still at a very early stage," he said.