Syria says 'ready for peace, but also for war'
Government mouthpiece Tishreen addresses belligerent back and forth between Damascus and Jerusalem, says 'path of destruction can open the moment Israel complies with the aggressive tendencies of leaders'
Syria believes that the recent threats directed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman against the regime in Damascus reflect the Israeli government's intention to wage new wars in the Middle East, an editorial published by the state-run Tishreen newspaper on Saturday.
According to the Syrian regime's mouthpiece, "Israel thought it could wage wars and not suffer the consequences – but it was wrong. It (Israel) tested the patience of Syria and the Arab and Islamic nations – and it turned out that this patience has its limits. Israel is testing Syria's determination to return its conquered land by all the legitimate means at its disposal.
"The path to peace is open and its conditions are known, but the path of destruction can also open the moment Israel complies with the aggressive tendencies of leaders who have crime running in their veins and their way is the way of the mafia," the editorial read.
"Whichever path Israel chooses, it will find Syria prepared for either peace or war," said the newspaper.
The belligerent back-and-forth between Jerusalem and Damascus began after Defense Minister Ehud Barak declared that without a political arrangement, the two countries will face a confrontation that might lead to war."
On Wednesday, in response to Barak's remarks, Assad accused Israel of “pushing the region towards war”.
'Egypt opposes Israel's escalating tone of hostility'
During a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos in Damascus, Assad said that the Jewish State "is not serious about achieving peace”.
Also on Wednesday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said that "Israel knows that if it declares war on Syria, such war will reach its cities as well."
In response, Lieberman on Thursday warned Syrian President Bashar Assad that in the event of war with Israel, "not only will you lose the war, you and your family will no longer be in power."
Meanwhile, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul- Gheit on Friday urged Israel to stop its "hostile" remarks about a possible war in the Middle East.
"Egypt opposes Israel's escalating tone of hostility against any Arab country and its threats of war," Abul-Gheit said.
He also warned that irresponsible remarks might hurt the ongoing peacemaking efforts.
"The Israeli remarks came as several regional and international powers, topped by Egypt, work towards reviving hopes for just and comprehensive peace in the region," he added.
The United States also urging Syria and Israel to show restraint and return to the negotiations table.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper on Friday quoted sources in Washington who addressed the tension between the two countries, and called for Syria to "show restraint and not take any measures that would hinder launching negotiations."
