In the ongoing exchange of verbal threats and counter-threats, the last round goes to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who on Sunday stated that if Israel attacks Lebanon, Damascus will stand firmly at Beirut’s side. Speaking on Sunday night, the Syrian leader stated he is genuinely interested in peace, but at the same time, Syria is ready for war.

Despite repeated statements over recent days and weeks that Israel is not planning an assault against Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri and others continue to beat the war drums, insisting an Israeli assault is imminent.

The general atmosphere in the Arab community has been to paint Israel as an aggressor, adding the de-legitimization associated with the Goldstone Report.

Assad was speaking during a special meeting with Nabih Berry, the Lebanese speaker of the parliament. According to the Syrian state-run SANA news agency, the two officials discussed the “Israeli threats” and Israel’s extremism”; adding Israel is responsible for diminishing the chance for true regional peace.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)