Daoud Kuttab, executive producer of "Shara'a Simsim, " knows that the Muppets are highly effective communicators.

CNN: Reaching the next generation with 'Muppet diplomacy'

They include Shara Nelson, on anthemic 1991 hit Unfinished Sympathy, and Everything But the Girl singer Tracey Thorn on 1995's Protection.

BBC: Double Novello triumph for Elbow

During the round of talks in Washington last month, Mr. Shara shocked everyone by launching a tirade against Israel and the United States.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Arrest Assad, Don't Treat with Him

Syria's vice-president, Farouq al-Shara, joined the soothing chorus by reiterating that Syria does not want war, though he repeated his belief that Israel does.

ECONOMIST: Hey, you, you're making me nervous

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara was skeptical, saying that it was possible Israel was only seeking to improve its image by holding the Hebron talks.

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And as if that were not enough, the last hours of the summit were spent unsuccessfully trying to convince Mr. Shara to publicly shake Mr. Barak's hand.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Arrest Assad, Don't Treat with Him

Syrian Vice-President Farouq al-Shara is quoted as welcoming the appointment.

BBC: World powers welcome Lakhdar Brahimi as new UN envoy

Last Sunday, the Syrian foreign minister, Farouq al-Shara, said an agreement on border co-operation had been reached with Iraq, and journalists were shown fortifications that Syria is building along the frontier.

ECONOMIST: Winning in Fallujah, losing elsewhere? | The

Syria, meanwhile, sent only its foreign minister, Farouk al-Shara.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Arrest Assad, Don't Treat with Him