Assad stated in an interview with the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Anba, "We are preparing for an Israeli attack at any moment."
Israel sharply denies any plans to attack Syria, which would likely start a regional war.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak commented on the situation during an interview this weekend, "The Middle East is on the verge of exploding,"
Since the end of the recent war in Southern Lebanon, Syria has been offering conflicting statements regarding the desire for war, and the desire for a peace treaty with Israel.
During the war in Lebanon, the international community accused Syria of aiding Iran in the smuggling of arms to Hizbullah.
Assad claims he learned a great deal from the recent Israel-Lebanon conflict, a war that he believes was won by Hizbullah. Assad was encouraged by the fact that Israel did not attack Lebanon with its full arsenal, and allowed an international resolution to end the conflict.
"During the aggression against Lebanon, there was vast pressure from among the population to fight against Israel and liberate the Golan. Many people made suggestions to this effect, directly and informally,” Assad stated.
"As far was we're concerned, the prospect for peace is unrelated to the changing circumstances and constitutes a basic principle, but, at the same time, we are preparing for an Israeli attack at any minute," Assad said. We all know that Israel is militarily strong and backed by the US.
"Ever since Ariel Sharon came to power, Israel has given up on the peace process. Sharon's election was a sign that Israel had comprehensively given up on the peace process and the US government only strengthened this trend. Therefore, naturally, our expectation is that there will not be peace and perhaps will be war.
“This is why we have to prepare, to the best of our ability," Assad added.
Assad’s comments this weekend are not the first he has made since the Lebanon conflict with regard to security with Israel. He has extended overtures of peace to Israel, which many believe are a futile attempt by the Syrian leader to improve his diplomatic standing internationally.
This past week, Assad stated that peace treaty negotiations with Israel could be achieved within six months.
Syria would like to reclaim the Golan Heights, which Israel formally annexed after defeating Syria and claiming the province during the Six Day War of 1967. The Golan, which overlooks Syria, is a region crucial to Israel’s security, as it provides a critical buffer between Syria and Lake Kinneret, Israel’s primary source of water.
Israel has had mixed reactions to Assad’s counter balancing statements.
Politicians are downplaying Assad's comments. Likud MK Silvan Shalom, a former foreign minister, told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Sunday morning that he does not view recent Assad's peace overtures as genuine.
Shalom added that Assad’s military threats should be taken seriously, stating that the IDF remains prepared against any Syrian threat.
"Israel will not hesitate to respond appropriately if compelled to do so," Shalom said.
Meretz-Yahad party leader MK Yossi Beilin stated a peace agreement with Syria is of critical importance, something that would bring stability to the region.
The IDF has been carefully monitoring Syria’s increased state of preparedness for war, but will not mobilize along the Syrian border for fear this would trigger a military conflict.
Senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad stated Sunday that the army has not been placed on a state-of-emergency along the border, although military sources indicate the border forces are instructed to remain increasingly vigilant.
Gilad said that “appropriate steps” are indeed being taken, actions in line with current political realities.
Israel sharply denies any plans to attack Syria, which would likely start a regional war.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak commented on the situation during an interview this weekend, "The Middle East is on the verge of exploding,"
Since the end of the recent war in Southern Lebanon, Syria has been offering conflicting statements regarding the desire for war, and the desire for a peace treaty with Israel.
During the war in Lebanon, the international community accused Syria of aiding Iran in the smuggling of arms to Hizbullah.
Assad claims he learned a great deal from the recent Israel-Lebanon conflict, a war that he believes was won by Hizbullah. Assad was encouraged by the fact that Israel did not attack Lebanon with its full arsenal, and allowed an international resolution to end the conflict.
"During the aggression against Lebanon, there was vast pressure from among the population to fight against Israel and liberate the Golan. Many people made suggestions to this effect, directly and informally,” Assad stated.
"As far was we're concerned, the prospect for peace is unrelated to the changing circumstances and constitutes a basic principle, but, at the same time, we are preparing for an Israeli attack at any minute," Assad said. We all know that Israel is militarily strong and backed by the US.
"Ever since Ariel Sharon came to power, Israel has given up on the peace process. Sharon's election was a sign that Israel had comprehensively given up on the peace process and the US government only strengthened this trend. Therefore, naturally, our expectation is that there will not be peace and perhaps will be war.
“This is why we have to prepare, to the best of our ability," Assad added.
Assad’s comments this weekend are not the first he has made since the Lebanon conflict with regard to security with Israel. He has extended overtures of peace to Israel, which many believe are a futile attempt by the Syrian leader to improve his diplomatic standing internationally.
This past week, Assad stated that peace treaty negotiations with Israel could be achieved within six months.
Syria would like to reclaim the Golan Heights, which Israel formally annexed after defeating Syria and claiming the province during the Six Day War of 1967. The Golan, which overlooks Syria, is a region crucial to Israel’s security, as it provides a critical buffer between Syria and Lake Kinneret, Israel’s primary source of water.
Israel has had mixed reactions to Assad’s counter balancing statements.
Politicians are downplaying Assad's comments. Likud MK Silvan Shalom, a former foreign minister, told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Sunday morning that he does not view recent Assad's peace overtures as genuine.
Shalom added that Assad’s military threats should be taken seriously, stating that the IDF remains prepared against any Syrian threat.
"Israel will not hesitate to respond appropriately if compelled to do so," Shalom said.
Meretz-Yahad party leader MK Yossi Beilin stated a peace agreement with Syria is of critical importance, something that would bring stability to the region.
The IDF has been carefully monitoring Syria’s increased state of preparedness for war, but will not mobilize along the Syrian border for fear this would trigger a military conflict.
Senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad stated Sunday that the army has not been placed on a state-of-emergency along the border, although military sources indicate the border forces are instructed to remain increasingly vigilant.
Gilad said that “appropriate steps” are indeed being taken, actions in line with current political realities.