Ab-Titchaz
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 30, 2008
- 14,631
- 4,225
I was wondering why all this time Syria had not commented on the Israeli raid on the flotilla of ships but it seems they were just bidding time. Sasa huyu Rais Bashaar al-Assad amekuja na hii.
In an interview with BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, he said Syria was working to prevent a regional war.
But he added that there was no chance of a peace deal with the current Israeli administration, which he called a "pyromaniac government".
Mr Assad also rejected claims he was arming Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Our Middle East editor says Mr Assad has the air of a man who thinks matters are going his way - even though he shares the common Middle Eastern view that the region is getting more dangerous.
Mr Assad said last month's Israeli commando assault on the Free Gaza flotilla in international waters was having serious consequences.
The attack on ships attempting to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip killed nine Turkish activists. Israel has set up an inquiry into the raid after rejecting a United Nations proposal for an international investigation.
"[The raid has] destroyed any chance for peace in the near future," Mr Assad said.
"Mainly because it proved that this government is another pyromaniac government, and you cannot achieve peace with such [a] government."
Mr Assad denied that he was sending weapons to the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006.
Our Middle East editor says Israel, the US and Britain are convinced that not only is Mr Assad arming Hezbollah, but that he is also sending bigger, better and more accurate weapons than before.
He seems in no mood to respond to US attempts to woo him away from Syria's long-term strategic alliance with Iran.
He said he was happy to do business with the United States, but insisted that Iran would remain an ally.
BBC News - Syria warns of backlash on Israel over Gaza flotilla
Syria warns of backlash on Israel over Gaza flotilla
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said Israel's attack on the Gaza aid flotilla has increased the chances of war in the Middle East.
In an interview with BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, he said Syria was working to prevent a regional war.
But he added that there was no chance of a peace deal with the current Israeli administration, which he called a "pyromaniac government".
Mr Assad also rejected claims he was arming Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Our Middle East editor says Mr Assad has the air of a man who thinks matters are going his way - even though he shares the common Middle Eastern view that the region is getting more dangerous.
Mr Assad said last month's Israeli commando assault on the Free Gaza flotilla in international waters was having serious consequences.
The attack on ships attempting to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip killed nine Turkish activists. Israel has set up an inquiry into the raid after rejecting a United Nations proposal for an international investigation.
"[The raid has] destroyed any chance for peace in the near future," Mr Assad said.
"Mainly because it proved that this government is another pyromaniac government, and you cannot achieve peace with such [a] government."
Mr Assad denied that he was sending weapons to the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006.
Our Middle East editor says Israel, the US and Britain are convinced that not only is Mr Assad arming Hezbollah, but that he is also sending bigger, better and more accurate weapons than before.
He seems in no mood to respond to US attempts to woo him away from Syria's long-term strategic alliance with Iran.
He said he was happy to do business with the United States, but insisted that Iran would remain an ally.
BBC News - Syria warns of backlash on Israel over Gaza flotilla
