ISRAEL'S PREZ CHATS WITH IRANIAN AND SYRIAN LEADERS AT POPE'S FUNERAL

Israeli president chats with Iranians, Syrians
JERUSALEM - Israeli President Moshe Katzav and Syrian President Bashar Assad shook hands on Friday at the funeral of Pope John Paul II, Israel Radio said. It was believed to be the first time the presidents of Israel and Syria, two countries officially at war, have shaken hands.

The radio said the Iranian-born Katzav also spoke at the funeral in his native Farsi with Iran’s president, Mohammad Khatami. According to Israel Radio, the two conversed about the town where both men were born. Iran officially seeks Israel’s destruction.

Katsav and Assad, sitting one row apart, said “good morning” to one another and shook hands as the funeral got under way, the radio said. The Syrian leader then approached Katsav and shook his hand again after the ceremony was over, the report added.