Syria still against Lebanese government: Israeli DM

Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz told cabinet ministers on Wednesday that Syria still works against the Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and is calling for peace "while keeping open the option of war." Peretz updated ministers on the situation in Lebanon and Syria, as well as the latest spate of violence in the Palestinian territories. According to him, the tension between Hezbollah, its Syrian patrons and the Lebanese government is high.

Peretz said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, adding that the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeeping force have deployed along the border with Israel.

The defense minister said Israel plans to set up a joint border guard unit to secure the border and stressed the need for the UN force to change its opening-fire regulations.

Referring to the Palestinian situation, Peretz said Israel " should strive for processes to stabilize Palestinian institutions through the road map, and prevent the Palestinian's humanitarian situation from deteriorating."

Peretz also expected U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to work well during her visit in the Middle East.

"Rice's visit is aimed at reviving dialogue with Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) and to bolster him... Rice is aspiring to recruit the Arab block which is accepting of efforts to establish a Palestinian government that accepts the Quartet's conditions, part of efforts to weaken the radical axis in the region," he said.

Rice is due in Israel later on Wednesday. She will travel to Ramallah for a meeting with Abbas and is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a working dinner Wednesday evening.

Speaking about the latest spate of violence between Fatah and Hamas, Peretz said Israel is not part of the feud.

Source: Xinhua