Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad told Italy's la Repubblica newspaper, in an interview published Monday, that Damascus wanted stability in the Middle East, and insisted it had no hand in the killing of former Lebanese Premier Rafic al-Hariri or in suicide bombing in Tel Aviv Friday, which left five people dead.
On the issue of US-Syria relations, Assad said he thought Washington might attack his country, but did not believe a strike was imminent. "Washington has imposed sanctions on us and isolated us in the past, but each time the circle hasn't closed around us," Assad told the Italian newspaper.
"If, however, you ask me if I'm expecting an armed attack (from the US), well I've seen it coming since the end of the war in Iraq. It's from then that tensions have been rising," he added.
Asked if a "settling of scores" was imminent, the Syrian leader said, "I don't think so, for now it's just skirmishing. True, the White House language, if looked at in detail, leads one to expect a campaign similar to the one that led up to attack on Iraq."
Assad said his country was a vital peace partner and force for stability. "Sooner or later they will realize that we are the key to the solution. We are essential for the peace process, for Iraq. Look, perhaps one day the Americans will come and knock on our door," he said.
The Lebanese opposition has blamed Syria for Hariri's assassination and, backed by the US and France, has called for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon Monday, thousands of people defied a government ban to mass in the heart of Beirut, as parliament began a stormy debate set to culminate in a vote of no-confidence in the pro-Syrian regime.
The rally is being held two weeks after Hariri's assassination, which triggered a wave of public opposition against the Lebanese government and its backers in Syria who are blamed for the murder.
Waving large red and white Lebanese flags and shouting "Syria out!" protesters descended on Martyrs' Square as hundreds of heavily armed troops and police guarded surrounding streets.
Many stayed on throughout the night despite a ban on demonstrations coming into force and media reports put the size of the crowds at 50,000 by mid-morning, while an army officer said there were about 20,000 demonstrators. "Through your resistance you are writing a new page in history, one of regained independence," Druze opposition leader Walid Jumblatt said Monday.
"Together we want a sovereign and independent Lebanon, the departure of Syrian secret services and above all the truth: who killed Rafic Hariri," he said.
"We want to be friends with the Syrian people but we want the Syrian army to go."
Monday's parliament session is a crucial test for the government of Prime Minister Omar Karameh which took office after Hariri resigned in October in a row over Syrian influence. The opposition plans to call a vote of no-confidence in the government but the session, called by 37 of the house's 127 members to demand the truth about Hariri's assassination, may last for several days given the large number of deputies who asked for time to speak.
"The Lebanese parliament, and all the Lebanese people want to know who killed Rafic Hariri," said parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri. The opposition does not have the majority to bring down the government, but has been trying to rally the votes of MPs angered by Hariri's assassination.
Assad rejected accusations of involvement in Hariri's killing. "For us it would be like political suicide," he said in the interview. He added Syria would take its time to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.
"From a technical viewpoint, the repatriation (of Syrian forces) could happen within the end of the year. But from a strategic viewpoint, it will only happen if we get serious guarantees. In a word, peace," Assad said.
Asked about Israeli accusations that Syria was involved in a suicide bombing at a club in Tel Aviv Friday night, Assad said, "It's a pointlessly offensive accusation. Syria has nothing to do with it."
The Syrian president said the United States had made crucial mistakes in its handling of Iraq following the fall of Baghdad and was trying to blame Damascus for its own failings.
He denied accusations that Syria was letting "insurgents" cross into neighboring Iraq unhindered and said he had offered to form joint US-Syrian patrols of the border territory. Washington had yet to reply, he was quoted as saying. When asked what his biggest fear was, Assad said, "The thought of this armed America of today which acts like a superpower with no vision."
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
