Barak praises al-Assad

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said on Tuesday that Syrian President Hafez al-Assad is a "strong leader, a man who honors his word and has credibility." Barak added in a speech he delivered during a closed-door meeting he held with the representatives of the Israeli security sides that reaching a peace agreement with Syria might be a turning point toward ending the conflict in the region and reaching a comprehensive peace agreement, Israeli Radio reported.