国际英语新闻：President Assad: Syria ready for war but prefers peace

BEIRUT, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned Israel on Wednesday that Syria is prepared for any future war with the Jewish state, though his country still prefers peace, the Lebanese Al-Manar TV channel reported.

Al-Assad told the Hezbollah-sponsored TV channel in an exclusive interview that Syria refused "to be part of a gamble that would put its policies and its interests in a foreign scheme. This is what happened recently when the project of the New Middle East was raised."

He explained that "this project included Iraq and Lebanon, and Syria was supposed to be part of it. They sought to lure it into this project, but it turned it down."

But the Syrian President pointed out that Syria's refusal made it "pay a price". He added that "the price of resistance was less than the price of chaos, and that gambling will lead to chaos and therefore to the ultimate price."

Asked about the differences between the current U.S administration and the previous one, al-Assad said that "there are obvious differences. We don't hear the language of order anymore, but still, there are no major breakthroughs, maybe because some institutions inside the U.S are working against President (Barack) Obama."

Al-Assad reiterated his position concerning Israel, saying that he has "no hopes regarding the current Israeli government".

"Israeli is getting stronger, but the concept of resistance in the Arab world is growing too," Al Assad added.

"In fact, Israel is weaker, and the military power is no more a guarantee. We are facing an enemy that only understands the language of force, but taking the decision to go to war, is something different, though we will engage in any war imposed on us," he said.

Al-Assad called for determining the Lebanese Syrian framework and strengthening them. He also said that the Lebanese were not the first to propose the re-establishment of diplomatic ties in 2008, adding that he suggested an exchange of ambassadors in 2005.

The Syrian president noted that "Lebanon should be with us when we go the peace negotiations. Our interests are in staying together if this course begins."

He also praised flourishing ties with Iran and Turkey, stressing the need to have an open dialogue with Tehran.