Israel plays down risk of conflict with Syria
Friday, 4 April 2008
JERUSALEM, Apr 3 (AFP): Israel Thursday played down media reports of heightened tension along the Syrian border, insisting there was little likelihood of military confrontation between the two neighbours.
"Israel has no intention of attacking Syria, and the latter says only it is ready to respond to any attack, so the risk of a military confrontation is very low," said Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon.
His comments came as Israeli newspapers splashed front-page stories claiming the military was on high alert after Syria reportedly boosted its deployment near the border and called up reserves.
The Jerusalem Post said increased tension along the frontier, as well as in the Gaza Strip, led Defence Minister Ehud Barak to cancel a planned visit to Germany, though a spokesman said the decision was linked to a planned home front defence exercise next week.
Spokesman Shlomo Dror told the news agency Syria has staged military manoeuvres and made other preparations for possible confrontation in the event Hezbollah seeks to avenge the February 12 killing in Damascus of its military leader Imad Mugnieh, which the Shiite militia blames on Israel.
"Israel has no intention of attacking Syria, and the latter says only it is ready to respond to any attack, so the risk of a military confrontation is very low," said Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon.
His comments came as Israeli newspapers splashed front-page stories claiming the military was on high alert after Syria reportedly boosted its deployment near the border and called up reserves.
The Jerusalem Post said increased tension along the frontier, as well as in the Gaza Strip, led Defence Minister Ehud Barak to cancel a planned visit to Germany, though a spokesman said the decision was linked to a planned home front defence exercise next week.
Spokesman Shlomo Dror told the news agency Syria has staged military manoeuvres and made other preparations for possible confrontation in the event Hezbollah seeks to avenge the February 12 killing in Damascus of its military leader Imad Mugnieh, which the Shiite militia blames on Israel.