Assad: I want peace with Israel, but failure may lead to war

[lovuian]

Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview published Sunday that he hopes to achieve peace with Israel, but cautioned that a Middle East deadlocked in conflict could end up in war.

Asked what he thought of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's call for Israel to wiped off the map, Assad said Syria wanted peace with Israel, not to see it destroyed.

"But my personal opinion, my hopes for peace, could one day change. And if this hope disappears, then war may really be the only solution," Assad told German magazine Der Spiegel.






In response to Assad's statement, the Prime Minister's Office reiterated Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's stance that "the conditions have not yet ripened" for negotiations with Syria, which he called the major instigator of terrorism in the region.

Earlier Sunday, Meretz leader Yossi Beilin reportedly criticized Olmert for missing a genuine opportunity to engage in peace talks with the Syrians.

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Is Syria threatening war??? cause I get that feeling...its almost like they are anticipating something???

[Selatius]

1. They are waiting for the US to make its next move in the Middle East

The ball is in Bush's court now.

[lovuian]

2. I agree

very true...

[sufrommich]

3. A huge step for Syria

How unfortunate that it comes at a time when we have a moron for president.You can bet they will come up with an excuse to exclude any chance of peace with Israel.edited to replace a word.