Assad: We won't recognize Israel

Syrian President Bashar Assad says his country will not recognize Israel before a peace accord is reached.

In an interview with Al-Manar, Hizbullah's official news network, the Syrian president was asked whether his country would consider relinquishing relations with the "resistance" in Lebanon and Palestine.

"This issue has not come up," he answered. "I believe this issue is very clear to many countries. We are not a country that bestows gifts, we are a country that discusses interests. We tell other countries this, and ask them to present us with their interests, in order to see where the two coincide."

He added, "We don't see any interest in abandoning the resistance. Our position has always been clear. Our position toward the resistance against any occupation in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine is firm and has not changed. I don't believe it will change until the occupation changes."

In another television interview to France 2, Assad says ''it is impossible for recognition to occur before a peace accord.'' He says there would be 'reciprocal recognition' if and when such an accord is reached.

He said democracy is not a goal for Syria. He said Syria's goal is stability and that democracy is a means to improve the country and reintroduce freedom.