Syria: Olmert gov't one of Israel's weakest
Official sources in Damascus criticize prime minister for ignoring Syrian overtures to enter negotiations, in contrast with Olmert's call to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, saying this is a sign of weakness. Syrian Chief of Staff: Israel defeated in Lebanon due to sacrifice of Lebanese resistance
"The Olmert government is one of the weakest ever in Israel," the Syrians knew to say. "One can't even compare it to the Barak government that agreed to enter negotiations based on the principle of land for peace. Therefore, the current government is not fit to make firm decisions about the peace process… the Israelis understand that such a step means agreeing to full withdrawal from the Golan Heights."
'Hizbullah heroes created Israeli defeat'
The Syrians call Olmert's overtures to his Lebanese colleague Fouad Siniora a "channel game" – an attempt to advance one track at the expense of the other. "This has been the accepted policy since the Madrid Conference in 1991."
Another source who made a statement in the past day on the Israeli issue is Syrian Chief of Staff General Ali Habib, who said, "Israel was defeated in Lebanon thanks to the enormous sacrifice of the Lebanese resistance and its achievements in the field."
According to him, "The defeat of the Israeli army isn't just talk, or hope and dreams, but the truth that Hizbullah heroes created for the long haul."
He promised during a military ceremony to defend every grain of sand.