Talks between Syria and Israel resumed at a secret location in Washington on 24 January. The talks were put on a stronger footing after Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin said he had Syria's assurance that a peace treaty with Israel will be valid no matter what happens with other Arab states.

During a visit to the European parliament in Strasbourg, Rabin said Syria has given its assurance that a peace treaty with Tel Aviv will 'stand on its own two feet', an aide to Rabin told Reuters on 26 January. However, this does not mean that Syria is ready to sign a separate peace treaty with Israel, the aide added. Damascus has said any peace deal it signs with Israel will have to be accompanied by comprehensive regional peace.

Israel also resumed peace talks in Washington with Jordan and Lebanon. The talks were suspended after the PLO-Israel accord was signed last September.