DAMASCUS, Syria, August 01, SPA -- Syria's President said Saturday that the return of the Golan Heights from Israel wasnon-negotiable and he expressed confidence that thestrategic plateau captured four decades ago would be handedback, The Associated Press reported. A year of indirect peace talks between the two countriesended in January, and the Syrian and Israeli leaders havelaid out tough conditions for restarting negotiations. Syria has said it is willing to resume the Turkish-mediated talks if they focus on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Golan, captured in the 1967 war. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is not willing to cede the territory Syria wants. «The return of all occupied land ... is non negotiable,»Assad said in a speech marking Syria's Army Day. «TheSyrian Arab Golan will remain Arab ... and will fullyreturn to the nation.» «Occupation and peace are two contradictory matters,» hesaid, adding that Syria seeks a «just and comprehensivepeace.» Turkey, which has close ties to Arab nations and Israel,mediated four rounds of indirect peace negotiations betweenthe two countries last year. But Syria suspended them inDecember over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/689238