BICOM

In an interview broadcast yesterday on CBS television, Syria’s President Assad warned of the regional consequences to a US-led strike against his country, hinting that terrorist groups could act in response.

Assad said that if the United States were to intervene, it “should expect everything.” Asked to elaborate on whether those repercussions could include chemical warfare, Assad said “That depends. If the rebels or the terrorists in this region, or any other group have it, it could happen, I don’t know.” He further added that the response “may take different forms,” including “direct and indirect” actions. He further added that the fall-out from a military strike could lead to “instability and the spread of terrorism all over the region that will influence the West directly.” Assad also used the interview to deny that his forces had used chemical weapons last month, calling on US President Obama to “Present what you have as evidence … to the public. Be transparent.”

Although Israel has consistently warned against the dangers of Assad’s chemical stockpile being transferred to the likes of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israeli officials continue to assess the probability of Assad or his allies attacking Israel in response to a strike as low. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as an island of stability in an unstable region, while Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon urged Israelis to go about their daily business, saying “We’re prepared for the consequence of [United States] action or inaction in Syria.”

Meanwhile, Labour Party and opposition leader Shelly Yachimovich yesterday said that “The world cannot remain indifferent and stand aside when a leader slaughters his people with gas, which is a crime against humanity.” Isaac Herzog MK, who is challenging Yachimovich for the Labour Party leadership also commented that “The rogue states have to be told that there are lines that cannot be crossed.”