Assad pledges Syrian help for Lebanon

Syrian Ambassador to the UN Bashar Ja'afari speaks about the conflict between Israel and Lebanon after a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York July 14, 2006. Syria will put its resources at the disposal of Lebanon to help cope with Israeli attacks devastating the country, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Lebanese President Emile Lahoud by phone on Saturday. (Chip East/Reuters)

July 15, 2006

DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syria will put its resources at the disposal of Lebanon to help cope with Israeli attacks devastating the country, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Lebanese President Emile Lahoud by phone on Saturday.

The official news agency SANA said Assad expressed solidarity with Lebanon, where Israeli bombing has killed around 100 civilians since Hizbollah captured two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border operation on Wednesday.

It was the first comment by Assad since the confrontation began between Israel and Hizbollah, which is backed by Syria and Iran.

SANA did not say whether Assad discussed Hizbollah during the telephone call with Lahoud and gave no details on what kind of help he was offering.

The ruling Baath Party said in a communique on Friday that Syria fully supports Hizbollah, although Washington has said Damascus must pressure Hizbollah to release the Israeli soldiers and stop its cross-border attacks.

Syria's border crossings have become Lebanon's only outlet to the world after Israel blockaded the country and attacked its airport and seaports.