MEET THE PANEL Name: Faisal Lives: Latakia, Syria Works: Shipping analyst

It's not in our interest to be absent because Syria has nothing to lose and it's a good opportunity to get our voice heard in public.

I don't think the chances of progress are promising, however.

This conference is an American attempt to cover its failure in Iraq. It wants to neutralise opposition from the Middle East ahead of its probable strike against Iran.

As far as the Israeli Palestinian issue goes, I think we're witnessing a strange thing, unique in history.

We are asking the Palestinians, who have lost so much, to give up everything.

The only way to reach a lasting settlement is to abide by the United Nation's decisions in the area.

As for Israeli-Syrian relations, our officials declared that an Israeli air raid took place on Syrian territory on September 6th - I can't say more than that.

MIDEAST CONFERENCE VIEWS Jonathan, Israel Ayman, West Bank Abdul, Saudi Arabia Faisal, Syria Nadim, Jordan Gilad, Israel Abdullah, Gaza

I should also say that Syria has many ways of bringing double retaliation on the aggressors.

The Golan Heights always belonged to Syria and the world ultimately will not tolerate such an injustice - even if it takes a long time for justice to be done.