Assad: We΄re Way Beyond Pressure

 
Source: As-Safir, 02-12-2008
The Lebanese daily As-Safir quoted visitor to Damascus as saying that Syrian President Bashar Assad is willing to continue backing the Lebanese people in every possible way to preserve Lebanon's stability and national unity. Assad stressed Damascus has gone way beyond the pressure that has been exerted on it since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. "Even the Americans have signaled that their Ambassador will return to Damascus in the beginning of next year," Assad said.
The Syrian President touched on the recent US air raid on the "Bou Kamal" region bordering Iraq and said that Syrian armed forces have since then been high alert, "knowing that spy satellites are watching us and we want them to detect our military movement. Our army is preparing itself to face all possible scenarios."
Assad underlined his country's adherence to every grain of its occupied land saying that "our strategic choice is to resist." The Syrian President also reminded that Damascus has always expressed readiness to engage in a just and comprehensive peace in agreement with international laws. "Whether Damascus engages in direct or indirect negotiations, this will be made public. The criteria to accept engaging in any talks will be seriousness and commitment to international resolutions, particularly that "Israel" knows very well what is acceptable for us and what is not," Assad said.