Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Assad: Syria Can Handle 'Any Aggression'

As Ehud Barak confirms Israel was behind Wednesday's aggression

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 3, 2013 6:25 AM CST

(AP) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his military is capable of confronting any "aggression" that targets the country. The comments by Assad are the first since an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday that US officials say was targeting a convoy of anti-aircraft weapons inside Syria bound for Hezbollah. Assad's remarks come as Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak essentially confirmed that his nation was behind the strike, reports the AP, calling it "proof (that) when we said something we mean it."

The remarks were reported today by Syrian state TV. It said Assad spoke during a meeting with visiting top Iranian official, Saeed Jalili. Assad said Syria is capable of facing current challenges and can "confront any aggression" that would target the Syrian people.

The profile of a Syrian embassy employee is reflected in a framed image of Bashar al-Assad at a local Venezuelan hotel, in Caracas, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.
The profile of a Syrian embassy employee is reflected in a framed image of Bashar al-Assad at a local Venezuelan hotel, in Caracas, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012.   (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad speaks during an interview in Tehran, Iran, Thursday June 28, 2012.
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad speaks during an interview in Tehran, Iran, Thursday June 28, 2012.   (AP Photo/IRIB TV via APTN)
A protester holds up a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a protest rally against Assad's regime outside the Syrian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, June 8, 2012.
A protester holds up a poster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a protest rally against Assad's regime outside the Syrian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, June 8, 2012.   (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
14%
9%
2%
5%
18%
53%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
right2dave
Feb 3, 2013 1:43 PM CST
Assad can't handle his own people!
793tango
Feb 3, 2013 10:12 AM CST
Yeah ther're doing such a great job against those pesky revolutonaries aren't they?
1freeusa
Feb 3, 2013 10:00 AM CST
it is amazing that Assad can say such things and you dont even see the iranians or russians lips move.  could hardly see the puppet strings.

Copyright 2013 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 

Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne