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Syrian President Bashar in Damascus on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. (AP)
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| By israelinsider staff and partners December 10, 2006 |
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A top Israeli military official told the Cabinet on Sunday that Syria had moved its missile batteries closer to the border with Israel and was preparing its forces for a military conflict with Israel, a senior government official said.
However, Brig. Gen. Yossi Baidatz, head of research in military intelligence, said that Syrian President Bashar Assad was also considering the path of peace, according to a participant in the weekly Cabinet meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
"Assad is working in two parallel tracks," Baidatz said. "On the one hand he is not ruling out a diplomatic solution with Israel and on the other hand he is preparing his forces for military conflict."
Baidatz said Syria had increased its production of long-range missiles and had also moved its anti-aircraft missile batteries closer to the border on the Golan Heights.
Baidatz stated, however, that the Syrian president has been conducting intensive diplomatic negotiations in the last two weeks, in hope of capitalizing on what he believes is an international opening for talks.
Baidatz added that Syria was still active in Lebanon, supporting the Hezbollah guerrilla group's efforts to overthrow Prime Minister Fuad Saniora's government, and that the country was concerned regarding the international tribunal on former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's murder. Syria was forced to pull its forces out of Lebanon last year.
Meanwhile, Baidatz also warned that global jihad was gaining strength in Lebanon, especially in the refugee camps, and the international forces stationed in Lebanon after Israel's summer war there were possible targets.
Referring to Iran, Baidatz said that Tehran was preparing for December 25, at which time the UN Security Council is set to decide whether to impose sanctions on Iran.
Additionally, Iran is continuing its activity in Lebanon to reinforce the resistance and has maintained support for Syria as well. At the same time, Tehran is nurturing Islamic Jihad and Hamas, despite the groups' Sunni orientation, and transferring funds and technical knowledge to Hamas.
17 rockets since ceasefire
Turning his attention to the territories, Baidatz reported that since the ceasefire was first declared, on November 26, 17 rockets were launched at Israel, 13 of which on the first day of the truce. He said that although the fire has significantly decreased and that Hamas was committed to the calm -- the group has been continuing to grow in strength.
Baidatz reported that the Palestinian security forces have deployed in the Strip, but have not proved effective. He added that Hamas was "taking over areas and enhancing its political control," in regions where it was less dominant before.
Referring to the situation in the West Bank, the intelligence official said that attempts to launch terror attacks from the area continue. In the political arena, Hamas is continuing to show signs of strength in face of the economic blockade, in part due to the money funneled by the Gulf States.
According to Baidatz, President Mahmoud Abbas was at a dead-end and unable to reach understandings with the rivaling Hamas group on a Palestinian unity government.
AP and Ynet writer Ronny Sofer contributed to this report.
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