Syria blames ME instability on Israel

Sat Nov 27, 2010

Syria has blamed the lack of peace in the Middle East on Israel's political behavior, pointing out the disadvantages posed by Tel Aviv's attitude.

"The absence of peace in our region due to Israel's policies... raises tensions and undermines economic development and prosperity," said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a news conference with his visiting Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil in the capital, Damascus on Saturday.

Israel has retained a technical state of war with Syria and Lebanon by refusing to return the countries' territories it occupied in 1967.

Damascus has also blasted Tel Aviv for its recent passage of a bill that requires a referendum ahead of any Israeli withdrawal from the territories, which Tel Aviv has claimed its own through occupation.

Syria's Foreign Ministry has said that the law -- which affects Syria's Golan Heights alongside other occupied lands -- "is addressed to those who still have illusions concerning the current Israeli government and who believe that it seeks peace."

Assad also hoped that Damascus-New Delhi's ties would contribute to the international efforts that aim at helping to put "an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people." An all-out Tel Aviv-imposed siege has prevented the access of 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to food, fuel and other necessities for more than three years now.

The Syrian leader further urged the freedom of the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction in an apparent reference to Israel, which is widely known to be the only owner of nuclear arms in the region.

Assad added that Iran and all other countries have a right to nuclear energy for peaceful means.

The comments came amid Tel Aviv's continued refusal to declare the nuclear arsenal and insistence on not joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to which Tehran is a signatory.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/152900.html.