The Defense Ministry's chief official for diplomatic affairs, Amos Gilad, responding Sunday to statements by Bashar Assad that the Syrian military was preparing for war with Israel, said that there had been no changes to the security situation, but that Israel must take the Syrian president's words seriously for the long term.

"There are no changes in the security situation," Gilad said in an interview on Army Radio. "There is no warning of higher intentions and there isn't a concrete threat."

Gilad added that at this point there is no danger for visitors to the Golan Heights.

	Advertisement

Earlier in the day, former foreign minister Silvan Shalom urged the government to send conciliatory messages to Damascus in an effort to diffuse rising tension.

"Israel must act in the international arena to try and lower tensions with Syria, tensions that are intensifying," Shalom, a leader of the right-center opposition Likud, told Israel Radio.

"Israel must act through Russia, moderate Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt, and even through the United Nations- the new Secretary-General is a friend of Israel."

Assad: Israel could attack at any moment
Assad made the statements in an interview with the Quwaiti newspaper Al Anba at the weekend.

In the interview, widely quoted by Syrian news agencies, Assad said Israel could attack Syria "at any moment."

"We must remain ready at all times," said Assad. "We have begun preparations within the framework of our options."

Assad also said he believes Israel has abandonded the peace process. The Prime Minister's Office refused to comment on Assad's remarks.

According to a security source, IDF troops in the Golan Heights have remained on high alert since the end of the Lebanon war. According to the source, Defence Minister Amir Peretz instructed the forces last Thursday to remain on high alert.

"Assad's declarations do not change the situation," said the source. In recent months, including prior to the Lebanon war, Syria has been saying it is willing to act militarily in order to retake the Golan Heights.

Since the Lebanon war, Assad has warned that Syria's patience is running out due to the lack of a viable option for regaining the Golan Heights through the peace process. At the same time, Assad has said on several occasions that he is interested in progress in the peace process with Israel.

Assad further stated in the interview Saturday that roughly 80 percent of the issues dividing Israel and Syria have been resolved, leaving only "the easiest of issues [to resolve].

"He reiterated his claim that negotiations would not last more than six months, and that the entire process, including the implementation of the agreement, would not last more than two years.

"This is assuming that the other side, Israel, is genuine in the peace process," said Assad. Nonetheless, Assad said "sometimes the final percent puts an end to the entire process."

Assad added that a new framework for the talks is needed, arguing that the traditional mediator, the United States, is too closely allied with Israel.