SYRIA: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says that peace in the Middle East would remain elusive for the foreseeable future

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday (August 15) that peace in the Middle East would remain elusive for the foreseeable future and the United States was to blame. "It is evident that after six years of this (U.S.) administration that there is no peace and there will be none in the foreseeable future," Assad said in a speech to the Syrian Journalists Union. "The kidnapping soldiers were a mere excuse for the world to begin this aggression, but the result was more defeat for Israel, its allies and its masters and more entrenchement of the nationalist forces that support the resistance and the principle of resistance is taking root in the hearts and minds of hundred of millions of people in the Arab and muslim world," he added. The 40-year old leader, who is shaped by his late father's lifetime of struggle against Israel, said the Jewish state had to return Arab land it has been occupying since 1967, or see more hatred against the country. Syria wants the Lebanon war to lead to a comprehensive peace settlement that addresses what Damascus regards as the root of instability -- Israeli occupation of Arab land, including the Syrian Golan Heights. Diplomats in Damascus, however, say the United States, Israel's chief ally, and France show no sign of engaging Syria in their diplomatic moves in the region, although other Western countries have approached Damascus recently. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos visited Damascus on Aug. 2 and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to arrive later on Tuesday. Although Syria's own Golan front has been quiet since 1974, Assad praised Hizbollah's resistance to Israeli forces during five weeks of war in Lebanon. "We are convinced that the natural way to achieve peace is through negotiations. But when this method fails or is unavailable to begin with, then resistance in all its forms is the substitute method." Hizbollah's actions would make the Jewish state think twice before pursuing "terrorist policies" in the region, he said. Syria, whose Golan Heights have been occupied by Israel since 1967, is a major supporter of Hizbollah. Israel launched an offensive on Lebanon after the Shi'ite Lebanese group captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12. A truce came into effect on Monday (August 14).

ITN Source | August 16, 2006

Tags:. .german. .fails. .western. .approached. .evident