Israel grows less secular each year, btw...Calling it rabidly secular today is to have the Israel of the 60s and 70s in your mind...lots secular, but not what it once was.
I was there in 1973.
Glad things have changed.
Thanks.
Here is JPost news video:
http://info.jpost.com/C005/Channel2/
In statement issued on 61st anniversary of establishment of Syrian army Assad says Damascus won't be deterred from helping Lebanon; military put on high alert Syrian President Bashar Assad put the Syrian army on high alert in anticipation of any developments. In a statement issued to mark the army's 61st anniversary Assad said Syria will not be deterred from helping Lebanon.
"The occupying enemy hasn't forgotten the humiliating defeat and its submissive exit from south Lebanon under the strikes bold resistance," the statement read.
"Syria, which stood by its brother (Lebanon) and sacrificed martyrs to defend Lebanon's freedom as we did for Syria's sovereignty, remains as always adamant in standing by our Arab people who's fighting in Lebanon and Palestine, and by the bold national resistance who struck the enemy. All threats voiced by powers in the world who support t he enemy won't deter us from continuing to support our brothers," he said.
Assad called on the army to be prepared for all scenarios "because we believe that falling for the sake of heaven (martyrdom) is the only way to freedom and victory. We have to make all effort in training to save every drop of blood when the hour comes. The fighting continues so long our land is occupied and our rights are denied. Victory will be achieved God willing."
Assad said that this year's anniversary comes at time when "the Israeli enemy continues its extermination war against our proud peoples in Lebanon and Palestine. Our brothers in Lebanon are being subjected to aggression by the Israeli war machine from the air, the sea and the ground," Assad said.
"The aggression, killing and destruction committed by the Israelis in Lebanon are part of an operation that was planned and organized by the large forces dominating the international community," he said.
Assad said Israel lies about facts on the ground in order to cover its losses against Hizbullah, as it does against Palestinian groups in the West Bank and Gaza.
(07.31.06, 23:04)