Assad: Syria Can Handle 'Any Aggression'

As Ehud Barak confirms Israel was behind Wednesday's aggression
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 3, 2013 6:25 AM CST
Assad: Syria Can Handle 'Any Aggression'
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)

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. (More Bashar al-Assad stories.)

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