In response to threatening statements made during a Damascus press conference on Wednesday by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Thursday state Syria has crossed a red line.

Addressing a business conference at Bar Ilan University, the foreign minister stated that anyone believing land concessions will result in Syria breaking from the axis of evil is mistaken. “Provoking Israel” will only lead to the collapse of his regime. Lieberman added if there is a war, Syria will lose and it will spell the end of the current Syrian administration.

“Defense Minister Barak calls for peace and the response is a threat”.

The senior minister added that “they do not concern themselves with values such as concern for their citizens and their lives” explaining the only value for Assad is remaining in a position of authority. He stressed the message must be that “not only will they lose the war, but you will lose control. The family will not continue to rule…It will not end with just a loss in the battlefield, but the Assad’s family loss of control of the country”.

Shifting to the Iranian threat, the foreign minister stated Iran is the “heart of the problem” and a nuclear Iran will lead to a Mideast nuclear arms race. He spoke of the fears that an Iranian nuclear weapon could fall into the hands of terrorists and as such, the world must make definitive decisions and take definitive actions.

Lieberman’s statements were met with harsh responses from a number of MKs, including Eitan Cabel (Labor), who warned Lieberman, “the warmonger” must be stopped.

Talab al-Sana stated Lieberman talks too much and his irresponsible statements may drag the region into war.

The Kadima opposition party stated the coalition is “playing with fire” in its reference to the foreign minister’s statements.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)