Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has cautioned Israel against any act of adventurism and launching a war against his country, saying such a move would only endanger the regime’s stability.
“Israelis, do not test the power of Syria since you know the war will move into your cities,” Muallem told a media conference with his visiting Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos in Damascus on Wednesday.
“Return to reason, follow the path of peace … and implement the requirements of peace fairly and comprehensively,” he added.
“If a war breaks out in the region… it will be widespread even if it is waged against [only] southern Lebanon or Syria,” Muallem warned.
Under the auspices of Turkey, Israel and Syria have held four rounds of indirect talks aimed at a comprehensive peace agreement. Negotiations, however, reached a stalemate in September 2009.
Syria withdrew from the talks in protest at Israel’s December 2008-January 2009 military offensive against the Gaza Strip. At least 1,400 Palestinians were killed and 5,400 others were injured during the three-week long offensive.
