Assad: Israeli people elected extremist government

President Bashar Assad

Damascus is not optimistic regarding the peace process with Israel. President Bashar Assad was quoted as saying Monday that his country has no partner for peace in Israel's "extremist" current government. "We are prepared for peace and we have a clear plan that can lead us there," Assad was quoted as saying in an interview with the German daily Bild. "But we need a partner and we don't have one so far."

"The Israeli people elected an extremist government that will not bring about peace," he said. "Will the Israeli people change this situation? We don't know."

Regarding Iran, the Syrian leader said: "From everything we know, Iran is not striving for nuclear weapons." And he added: "So this can only be about checking exactly what Iran is doing. The Iranians are prepared to accept that. That is how one has to view the problem."