International News Article | Reuters.com
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli President Moshe Katsav said he shook hands with President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, a country formally at war with the Jewish state, and the president of Iran at the funeral of Pope John Paul Friday.
It was believed to be the first time an Israeli president had shaken hands with Syrian and Iranian leaders.
"The Syrian president sat in the chair behind me ... we exchanged smiles and shook hands," Katsav, who holds a largely ceremonial post, was quoted as telling the Web site of Israel's Maariv newspaper.
The Iranian-born Katsav also said he spoke at the Vatican funeral in his native Farsi with Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami, about their common city of birth. Iran officially seeks Israel's destruction.
"The president of Iran extended his hand to me, I shook it and told him in Farsi 'may peace be upon you'," Katsav told the Web site.
On 9 April President Khatami denies that shook hands with the Israeli president.
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