RAMALLAH: Ehud Barak, the Israeli Defense Minister has commented on the airstrike in Damascus, reports Al Jazeera. “I cannot add anything to what you have read in the newspapers about what happened in Syria several days ago... It's another proof that when we say something we mean it. We say that we don't think that it should be allowable to bring advanced weapon systems into Lebanon, the Hezbollah from Syria, when [Syrian President Bashar al-] Assad falls.” Though the airstrike was not explicitly named, it was clear as to what Barak was referring. US officials revealed that Israel struck a convey of anti-aircraft weapons destined for Hezbollah in southern Lebanon but the Syrian military said the target was a scientific research center northwest of Damascus. Embattled Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad said that Israel was trying to destabilize Syria and maintained the country's ability to respond to “current threats". Syrian rebels have declared that Assad's lack of response is a sign of weakness. Israel and the United States have expressed concerns of an inundation of Syrian arms reaching the hands of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israel has stated that it will not allow this to happen. Barak went on to say that the fall of Assad will be a “major blow" to the Iranians and Hezbollah. BN
