Assad: Israel rejects Arab peace efforts

Published August 18th, 2003 - 03:00 GMT

Syrian President Bashar Assad accused Israel of stalling on peace efforts and renewed Damascus call for a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East based on U.N. resolutions and the land-for-peace principle.

"Israel has responded to the Arab peace initiative with procrastination, increased aggression and refusal to comply with U.N. resolutions," Assad said at a dinner he hosted Sunday evening for visiting Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. His remarks were carried Monday by Syria's official news agency SANA.

"We in Syria and the Arab world call for a just and comprehensive peace based on resolutions of international legitimacy and the land-for-peace principle, a peace that restores our land and guarantees the rights of our people," Assad said, according to SANA.

Assad called for an immediate end to the U.S.-British occupation of Iraq and the formation of a national government that represents the Iraqi people's free will, the agency said.

On Monday, Mahathir told a news conference that the way in which the Iraqi Governing Council was established was "unacceptable." (Albawaba.com)