Syria: Tell Israel Enough Is Enough

7:06pm UK, Wednesday July 19, 2006

Syria is not behind the Middle East crisis and Israel has to be the one to stop it - according to a spokesman for Syria.

The country's Minister of Communication, Amr Salem, told Sky News: "I think what really needs to be done is to tell the Israelis enough is enough.

Syrian minister Amr Salem

"What is happening between them and Hizbollah initially is a prisoner problem and that is soldiers versus soldiers."

He added: "These were two soldiers (who were kidnapped) and that should have been solved in the normal way. But is bombing civilians, killing children and women, and bombing humanitarian aid a way of getting the two prisoners released?

"Is this justified in a civilised world?"

Mr Salem said Hizbollah has never targeted Israeli civilians and has kept its attacks focussed on the military. He claimed this was in contrast to the Israeli assaults hitting Lebanon.

"The loss of human life is as bad regardless of which party it is - but I believe the Israeli government is the one who is provoking this kind of action," he said.

The spokesman pointed out that Syria is sending food and medicine to Lebanon and there are several schemes to raise cash for the country.

Asked about allegations that Syria is providing Hizbollah with weapons, Mr Salem cited an incident where Israel destroyed a tractor supposedly carrying weapons, saying it had in fact been transporting aid sent by the United Arab Emirates. He said: "I think it's very clear (the allegation) is ridiculous."

Sky News asked him if Syria could step in to end the crisis. He replied: "My dear friend, Hizbollah is not waiting for our instruction to have a ceasefire."

Mr Salem added: "What is really essential to make this part of the world a peaceful one is for all parties to acknowledge the existence of each other, the right of each other to live in peace, develop their countries and improve the quality of the lives of their people."