Syria: Without peace, resistance will liberate Golan Heights

Syrian information minister says Damascus wants peace, but will resort to violence if Israel rejects peace proposal; 'any nation living under occupation has the prerogative to resist,' he says

Roee Nahmias|Published: 04.16.07 , 21:33

"If Israel rejects the Arab League peace proposal, resistance will be the only way to liberate the Golan Heights," warns Syrian Information Minister Muhsen Bilal, at a press conference in Damascus Monday.

The minister explained that Syria had an interest in renewing talks with Israel with support from America and Russia. "Syria wants to reach a fair, comprehensive peace," he added. However, he also stated that "any nation living under occupation has the prerogative to resist. In Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq, we must liberate all occupied Arab land."

Bilal blamed Israel for causing instability in the Middle East.

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Syrian-American businessman Ibrahim Soliman tells reporters after appearing before Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, ‘I challenged Israeli government to answer President Assad’s call for peace’; deal could be reached within six months, he says

He also referred to Ibrahim Soliman's visit to Israel. Soliman, a Syrian-American, is recognized as someone who reached an understanding with former Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Liel regarding peace between Israel and Syria.

"We have nothing to do with his visit," Bilal made clear. "Nobody elected Soliman to represent Syria. He does not speak for any Syrian institute. It is not our approach, to conduct underground negotiations."

Damascus announced Monday that it planned to host an international conference to discuss "media coverage of the Palestinian problem and Iran's right to have nuclear technology for peaceful purposes."

Bilal told reporters that the conference would focus on "several studies on the Arab media coverage – professional ethics versus commitment to national matters – as well as the concept of resistance in the Arab media."

The conference will take place on April 30; it will be headed by Syrian President Bashar Assad; and 350 journalists, academics and politicians are planned to attend.