Peres invited Assad to Israel during a debate on the prospects for peace at the Ambrosetti Conference in Italy, the Financial Times reported. He said a visit by Assad to Israel or an invitation to the Israeli prime minister to Syria might be as fruitful as those of President Anwar Sadat of Egypt or King Hussein of Jordan.

"We shall see a major change," said Peres.

Peres said Assad does not believe effective negotiations will be possible until President George W. Bush leaves office.

Israel and Syria have been involved in indirect talks. The fifth round has been delayed by the resignation of the Israeli negotiator.