Syrian PM: Conflict with Israel will never end

Muhammad Naji al-Otari says Lebanon's tough response to recent Israeli actions proves 'Israeli plots against Lebanon failed completely'; admits Beirut is Syria's weakest link

Ynet|Published: 08.14.10 , 11:45

Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari said Saturday that "the conflict with Israel will always exist" and stressed that the Lebanese Army's tough response to recent Israeli actions proves that "Israeli plots against Lebanon have failed completely."

In an interview with Syrian media, the Syrian premier discussed his country's close ties with Beirut. "Lebanon is the weakest link in Syria's back," he said and added that Damascus is extremely concerned with Lebanon's welfare, security and stability. "It worries us because it's related to our national security."

Al-Otari added that Israel's goal was to eliminate any resistance movement in order to enforce its will on the entire region. He also addressed the investigation of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's murder and said that his country had been blamed for the assassination for the past five years. Al-Otari also noted that Syria has turned Lebanon into a stronger country than it was before.

This is the Syrian prime minister's second anti-Israel statement in the last week. On Thursday he said that should Israel try to start a war with Syria it will "pay a heavy price." In an interview with a Yemenite magazine, Al-Otari said that Israel was the Arab and Islamic nation's greatest enemy and noted that international elements are helping it achieve its goals in the region.