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Syria not planning offensive, security officials say
Special cabinet on Syria affairs hears intelligence briefing that reveals Damascus not planning war, but could rely on Iran if aggressions are launched
Ronny Sofer
Syria is not planning to initiate an offensive against Israel, and its forces are deployed defensively, security officials told the cabinet on Syria affairs Monday.
The cabinet, which includes the prime minister, the defense minister and the foreign minister among others, convened to hear a briefing about Syria from Mossad officials, the IDF's intelligence branch and senior army officials.
According to the briefing, Syria is able to rely on Iran strategically and use it as a base for attacks in case of war.
The special cabinet on Syria was established last Wednesday, in light of recurring reports regarding a possible war with Damascus this summer.
The cabinet includes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and ministers Amir Peretz, Tzipi Livni, Shimon Peres, Avigdor Lieberman, Eli Yishai, Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Rafi Eitan, Daniel Friedmann, Avi Dichter and Shaul Mofaz.
The ministers received information on Syria's current deployment on the border, and on the Syrian-Lebanese border, which enabled continued smuggling of arms to Hizbullah. They also learned that the US was at present not eager to engage in negotiations with Damascus.
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