Syria-Israel negotiations accelerated markedly in the run up to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly scheduled to begin 23 September, with considerable pressure exerted by the US envoy to Syria, Tom Barak, to reach an agreement in advance. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa indicated the possibility of signing an agreement with Israel during his stay in the United States, stating: “We are very close to reaching an agreement with Israel under US mediation.”
