al-Sharq al-Awsat: Information Minister Statement on Israel's threats to kill Mashaal

Syria's Information Minister Ahmad al-Hassan described as "stupid" the Israeli accusations to assassinate Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau in Damascus, excluding such an Israeli idiocy due to its repercussions.

"The United States will prevent such an action because it will escalate tension in the region at a time the US suffers a real plight in Iraq" Hassan said in an interview given to London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper.

He also asserted that the Israeli policy and irresponsible statements increase violence and block the peace process, pointing out that the Israeli assassinations confirm the state terrorism.

He stressed that Hamas and al-Jihad al-Islami bureaus in Damascus were mere information bureaus, asserting that they were closed months ago.

Regarding the situation on the Syrian-Iraqi borders, al-Hassan underlined that they are under monitoring, asserting that Syria is keen for preventing any infiltration across borders.

" We called upon the Americans to prove the infiltration but they submitted nothing, despite their possession of satellites and equipment that show even an ant," Hassan said commenting on the American accusations.