In addition, it was reported by opposition sources that thousands of family members of top official and figures in the Syria regime escaped to Lebanon and to Latakia. These reports were not confirmed by other sources.
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Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi told the Hezbollah 's al-Manar network that "Syria has been under pressure since 2003," while the American invasion of Iraq was underway.
He added that the top officers from around the globe who met in Amman "are party to the aggression against Syira, through sanctions and allowing gunmen enter Syria, and on the question of armament."
The Syrian minister said that "these countries felt that all they have done until now was unsuccessful so they decided to attack Syria."
According to him, Syria will respond to any Western military attack. "If we'll be attacked we'll have no choice but to defend ourselves, and this is not a situation who hope for as it would just exact a cost from everyone.
"This war has no legitimacy, since the chemical weapons excuse is faulty and since there's a UN inspection team, which has started to do its job – ascertain whether or not there was use of chemical weapons, and if so, who used them."
The minister added that "the West has no proof the Syria has used chemical weapons. If the US has such proof they should present it."
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