Hilary Clinton defended the decision to send an ambassador to Damascus |
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has issued a strong warning to Syria over the alleged transfer of sophisticated weapons to Lebanon.
No evidence has been offered for the allegations by the Israel or the US.
Damascus and Beirut deny this, saying Israel is trying to set the stage for military "aggression".
Hezbollah fought a 34-day conflict with Israel in 2006 during which more than 1,200 Lebanese people, mostly civilians, were killed. Some 160 Israeli people, most of whom were soldiers, also died.
UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the conflict, included an arms embargo on Lebanon, except for transfers authorised by the Lebanese government or UN.
'Destabalising'
Mrs Clinton warned, in a speech in Washington to a Jewish lobbying organisation, that weapons transfers could spark new conflict in the Middle East. She also warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would profoundly destabilise the region.
President Assad is making decisions that could mean war or peace for the region Hillary Clinton |
Ties between Syria and the US had been tense since the killing in 2005 of Rafik Hariri, a former Lebanese prime minister. His assassination was blamed on Damascus - which denied any involvement - but Washington withdrew its ambassador shortly after.
The Syrian embassy has dismissed the allegations that it arms Hezbollah |
"President Assad is making decisions that could mean war or peace for the region," Mrs Clinton said.
"We know he's hearing from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. It is crucial that he also hear directly from us, so that the potential consequences of his actions are clear.
"That is why we are sending an ambassador back to Syria, there should be no mistake, either in Damascus or anywhere else, the United States is not re-engaging with Syria as a reward or concession.
"Engagement is a tool that can give us added leverage and insight and a greater ability to convey strong and unmistakably clear messages aimed at Syria's leadership," the secretary of state said.
Note: Dear Ms. Clinton, Kindly advise your boss that to-date, his "engagements" with the enemy have only brought scorn, mocking and contempt from Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, (have I missed anyone?) ... and so far, the only thing our enemies have learned from the United States is that America has ignored their friends, while attempting to win favors from the enemy. You should not be "learning" from the enemy, you should be "leading" the "free world" in matters that will have serious consequences if you don't smarten up real fast and begin working with democratic nations - not with the Islamic terrorists.
Here's what I've learned from Syria and Hezbollah, they lie and I did not need to send an ambassador to Syria to learn this ... Congress has every right to question your motives for sending an ambassador to a country in bed with Iran.
Bee Sting