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| Assad Warns Israel, Claiming a Stockpile of Russian Weapons | Assad Warns Israel, Claiming a Stockpile of Russian Weapons |
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| BEIRUT, Lebanon — President Bashar al-Assad of Syria displayed a new defiance in a television interview broadcast on Thursday, warning Israel and suggesting that he had secured plenty of weapons from Russia as his opponents falter politically and Hezbollah fighters infuse force into his military campaign. | BEIRUT, Lebanon — President Bashar al-Assad of Syria displayed a new defiance in a television interview broadcast on Thursday, warning Israel and suggesting that he had secured plenty of weapons from Russia as his opponents falter politically and Hezbollah fighters infuse force into his military campaign. |
| Mr. Assad spoke in an interview on Al Manar television, which is owned by his ally Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese Shiite militant group, further punctuating his message of growing confidence that he could prevail in a civil war that is now more than two years old and has claimed more than 80,000 lives. | Mr. Assad spoke in an interview on Al Manar television, which is owned by his ally Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanese Shiite militant group, further punctuating his message of growing confidence that he could prevail in a civil war that is now more than two years old and has claimed more than 80,000 lives. |
| Asked about Russian weapons deliveries, , Mr. Assad said: “Russia is committed with Syria in implementing these contracts. What we agreed upon with Russia will be implemented, and part of it has been implemented over the recent period, and we are continuing to implement it.” | Asked about Russian weapons deliveries, , Mr. Assad said: “Russia is committed with Syria in implementing these contracts. What we agreed upon with Russia will be implemented, and part of it has been implemented over the recent period, and we are continuing to implement it.” |
| He was vague on whether Russia’s deliveries had included an advanced S-300 air defense missile system — of particular concern to Israel because those missiles can hit deep inside Israeli territory. | He was vague on whether Russia’s deliveries had included an advanced S-300 air defense missile system — of particular concern to Israel because those missiles can hit deep inside Israeli territory. |
| Before the broadcast, Al Manar had sent out text messages that paraphrased Mr. Assad as saying Syria had already received a first shipment of the S-300 missiles. | |
| It was unclear why those comments were not included in the broadcast. American and Israeli officials have been pressing Russia not to deliver the S-300 system to Syria. | |
| Mr. Assad spent considerable time in the interview to warn Israel, which attacked suspected weapons caches in Syria earlier this month. He called Israel the underlying instigator of the Syrian crisis. | |
| “We will retaliate for any Israeli aggression next time,” Mr. Assad said. He also suggested the possibility of renewed fighting in the Golan Heights, the disputed border area occupied by Israel, that has been largely quiet for for more than 40 years. | |
| “In fact, there is clear popular pressure to open the Golan front to resistance,” Mr. Assad said. The Syrian government, he said, had received “many Arab delegations wanting to know how young people might be enrolled to come and fight Israel.” | |
| Mr. Assad reiterated the Syrian government’s intention to attend a peace United Nations peace conference on Syria, which Russia and the United States have been seeking to convene in coming weeks. But he said any agreements that might result from such a conference would have to be approved by Syrians in a referendum. | |
| Even as Mr. Assad’s broadcast was aired, fissures within the Syrian opposition widened, with rebel military commanders demanding a significant new role in the main exile organization. | Even as Mr. Assad’s broadcast was aired, fissures within the Syrian opposition widened, with rebel military commanders demanding a significant new role in the main exile organization. |
| The disparity underscored the fact that Mr. Assad appeared to be consolidating his position, buttressed on both military and political fronts by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, while the Western-backed opposition stumbles toward ever more serious disarray. | The disparity underscored the fact that Mr. Assad appeared to be consolidating his position, buttressed on both military and political fronts by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, while the Western-backed opposition stumbles toward ever more serious disarray. |
| All week, the 63-member National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, the main rebel group, has been entangled anew in petty disputes over how many seats to add. Its leadership announced Thursday that it would boycott a peace conference sponsored jointly by Russia and the United States and expected to convene in Geneva in the coming weeks. It blamed the boycott on Iranian and Hezbollah interference in Syria, but analysts saw it as a position born of weakness and the inability to forge a strong, united bargaining front. | All week, the 63-member National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, the main rebel group, has been entangled anew in petty disputes over how many seats to add. Its leadership announced Thursday that it would boycott a peace conference sponsored jointly by Russia and the United States and expected to convene in Geneva in the coming weeks. It blamed the boycott on Iranian and Hezbollah interference in Syria, but analysts saw it as a position born of weakness and the inability to forge a strong, united bargaining front. |
| “This is a low point,” said Amr al-Azm, a Syrian-born history professor at Shawnee State University in Ohio who tracks the opposition. “Unlike earlier screaming matches, you have a bad military situation on the ground and Geneva is looming and the opposition has nothing to play. This is as bad as it gets.” | “This is a low point,” said Amr al-Azm, a Syrian-born history professor at Shawnee State University in Ohio who tracks the opposition. “Unlike earlier screaming matches, you have a bad military situation on the ground and Geneva is looming and the opposition has nothing to play. This is as bad as it gets.” |
| Russian officials had said earlier this week that the country would deliver the S-300 weapons to Syria, a move that Mr. Assad’s opponents said was a sign that neither Russia nor the Syrian government was serious about the proposed negotiations to end the Syrian civil war. | Russian officials had said earlier this week that the country would deliver the S-300 weapons to Syria, a move that Mr. Assad’s opponents said was a sign that neither Russia nor the Syrian government was serious about the proposed negotiations to end the Syrian civil war. |
| The interview with Mr. Assad was taped on Tuesday, according to the Beirut news director of Iran’s English-language Press TV. That same day, Israel’s defense minister declared categorically that the missile system had not yet been delivered. | The interview with Mr. Assad was taped on Tuesday, according to the Beirut news director of Iran’s English-language Press TV. That same day, Israel’s defense minister declared categorically that the missile system had not yet been delivered. |
| A senior Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of diplomatic constraints, said on Thursday that the S-300 missile system does not just “come in a box” and that different elements would probably be delivered in stages. It is possible, he said, that some parts have arrived in Syria, but there is no indication at this stage that the system is anywhere near operational. | A senior Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of diplomatic constraints, said on Thursday that the S-300 missile system does not just “come in a box” and that different elements would probably be delivered in stages. It is possible, he said, that some parts have arrived in Syria, but there is no indication at this stage that the system is anywhere near operational. |
| Secretary of State John Kerry has raised the issue of the arms sales with the Russians, even as he and the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, are trying to arrange a meeting between the Assad government and the rebels. Asked about the missiles and Israeli warnings that the deliveries of them would pose a threat to Israel, the State Department’s spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said on Wednesday: “We support Israel’s ability to defend themselves, certainly, but we remain hopeful and remain committed to working towards a political transition. And that’s what our focus is here on Syria.” | Secretary of State John Kerry has raised the issue of the arms sales with the Russians, even as he and the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, are trying to arrange a meeting between the Assad government and the rebels. Asked about the missiles and Israeli warnings that the deliveries of them would pose a threat to Israel, the State Department’s spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said on Wednesday: “We support Israel’s ability to defend themselves, certainly, but we remain hopeful and remain committed to working towards a political transition. And that’s what our focus is here on Syria.” |
| In Washington, Caitlin Hayden, the spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said on Thursday that although she could not comment on specific arms shipments, “our concerns about Russia’s continued support for the Syrian regime through the provision of arms and access to Russian banks are well known.” | In Washington, Caitlin Hayden, the spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said on Thursday that although she could not comment on specific arms shipments, “our concerns about Russia’s continued support for the Syrian regime through the provision of arms and access to Russian banks are well known.” |
| “Providing additional weapons to Assad — including air defense systems — will only prolong the violence in Syria and incite regional destabilization,” she added. | “Providing additional weapons to Assad — including air defense systems — will only prolong the violence in Syria and incite regional destabilization,” she added. |
| The Syrian government and the opposition have hardened their positions in recent days, casting doubt on the future of the proposed talks as each side declares a starting point that is thoroughly unacceptable to the other. | The Syrian government and the opposition have hardened their positions in recent days, casting doubt on the future of the proposed talks as each side declares a starting point that is thoroughly unacceptable to the other. |
| On Wednesday, the Syrian opposition said Mr. Assad’s departure was a prerequisite of talks — a condition his government and Russia reject — while Syria’s foreign minister said that Mr. Assad would stay on at least until 2014 and might seek re-election and that any peace agreement would have to be approved by a referendum. | On Wednesday, the Syrian opposition said Mr. Assad’s departure was a prerequisite of talks — a condition his government and Russia reject — while Syria’s foreign minister said that Mr. Assad would stay on at least until 2014 and might seek re-election and that any peace agreement would have to be approved by a referendum. |
| Syrian rebel commanders have also issued aggressive statements in recent days, threatening to attack Hezbollah and even the Lebanese Army inside Lebanon if Hezbollah’s intervention is not halted. | Syrian rebel commanders have also issued aggressive statements in recent days, threatening to attack Hezbollah and even the Lebanese Army inside Lebanon if Hezbollah’s intervention is not halted. |
| Late Wednesday, Lebanon’s president, Michel Suleiman, a political ally of Hezbollah, issued an unusual statement calling on Hezbollah to pull out of Syria for the sake of Lebanese security and the integrity of the group’s primary mission, fighting Israel. | Late Wednesday, Lebanon’s president, Michel Suleiman, a political ally of Hezbollah, issued an unusual statement calling on Hezbollah to pull out of Syria for the sake of Lebanese security and the integrity of the group’s primary mission, fighting Israel. |
| Lebanese politicians of every stripe have been loath to directly confront Hezbollah, which fields the most seasoned and influential military force in the country, trumping even the army. But as rocket attacks on Hezbollah areas have increased along with sectarian anger, a growing chorus has expressed fears that Hezbollah, fighting on the Syrian government side, and Lebanese Sunni militants supporting the rebels are destabilizing the country. | Lebanese politicians of every stripe have been loath to directly confront Hezbollah, which fields the most seasoned and influential military force in the country, trumping even the army. But as rocket attacks on Hezbollah areas have increased along with sectarian anger, a growing chorus has expressed fears that Hezbollah, fighting on the Syrian government side, and Lebanese Sunni militants supporting the rebels are destabilizing the country. |
| Mr. Suleiman said he wished that Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, would not “involve the resistance” — as Hezbollah and its confrontation with Israel are known here — in Syria’s war. | Mr. Suleiman said he wished that Hezbollah’s chief, Hassan Nasrallah, would not “involve the resistance” — as Hezbollah and its confrontation with Israel are known here — in Syria’s war. |
| He even compared Hezbollah’s intervention — which its leaders and supporters have described as a pre-emptive war to prevent Sunni extremists involved in the Syrian uprising from infiltrating or attacking Lebanon — to the pre-emptive war doctrine President George W. Bush formulated to justify the United States invasion of Iraq. | He even compared Hezbollah’s intervention — which its leaders and supporters have described as a pre-emptive war to prevent Sunni extremists involved in the Syrian uprising from infiltrating or attacking Lebanon — to the pre-emptive war doctrine President George W. Bush formulated to justify the United States invasion of Iraq. |
| “I am against anything pre-emptive, like the wars of ex-U.S. President George Bush,” Mr. Suleiman said, a stinging rebuke in a region where American foreign policy in general and Mr. Bush in particular are deeply unpopular. | “I am against anything pre-emptive, like the wars of ex-U.S. President George Bush,” Mr. Suleiman said, a stinging rebuke in a region where American foreign policy in general and Mr. Bush in particular are deeply unpopular. |
| Mr. Suleiman also said he opposed Hezbollah’s plans to help the Syrian government open a front in the Golan Heights, the disputed border area between Syria and Israel. “Who guarantees that Israel does not attack Lebanon?” he said. | Mr. Suleiman also said he opposed Hezbollah’s plans to help the Syrian government open a front in the Golan Heights, the disputed border area between Syria and Israel. “Who guarantees that Israel does not attack Lebanon?” he said. |
| Israel has lobbied Russia not to deliver the S-300 missiles to Syria. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon warned on Tuesday that Israel would view such a move as a threat and that it could prompt an Israeli reaction. | Israel has lobbied Russia not to deliver the S-300 missiles to Syria. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon warned on Tuesday that Israel would view such a move as a threat and that it could prompt an Israeli reaction. |
| “The deliveries have not taken place, I can attest to this, and I hope they do not,” Mr. Yaalon said. “If, by some fortune, they arrive in Syria, we will know what to do.” | “The deliveries have not taken place, I can attest to this, and I hope they do not,” Mr. Yaalon said. “If, by some fortune, they arrive in Syria, we will know what to do.” |
| Three major Israeli newspapers reported on Thursday that Israel’s national security adviser recently told a group of European ambassadors that Israel’s red line regarding the S-300s was the point at which they become operational. The Israeli official, who requested anonymity, said that the S-300 was a “very advanced and complicated system” and that different functions could become operational at different times. | Three major Israeli newspapers reported on Thursday that Israel’s national security adviser recently told a group of European ambassadors that Israel’s red line regarding the S-300s was the point at which they become operational. The Israeli official, who requested anonymity, said that the S-300 was a “very advanced and complicated system” and that different functions could become operational at different times. |
| Israel has long opposed Russian plans to supply Syria with the S-300 antiaircraft system. Since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, Israel has also declared that it will not tolerate the transfer of game-changing weapons from the Syrian government to Hezbollah or the possibility that they could fall into the hands of extremist rebels. Israel is believed to have bombed targets in Syria three times this year, including a convoy of Russian-supplied SA-17 surface-to-air missiles. | Israel has long opposed Russian plans to supply Syria with the S-300 antiaircraft system. Since the outbreak of the civil war in Syria, Israel has also declared that it will not tolerate the transfer of game-changing weapons from the Syrian government to Hezbollah or the possibility that they could fall into the hands of extremist rebels. Israel is believed to have bombed targets in Syria three times this year, including a convoy of Russian-supplied SA-17 surface-to-air missiles. |
| Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s minister of strategic and intelligence affairs, told an audience of reporters and diplomats in Jerusalem on Tuesday that Israel did not want to get involved in the civil war in Syria and had decided not to ask or encourage the United States or Europe to take any action there, because of the highly complex situation. | Yuval Steinitz, Israel’s minister of strategic and intelligence affairs, told an audience of reporters and diplomats in Jerusalem on Tuesday that Israel did not want to get involved in the civil war in Syria and had decided not to ask or encourage the United States or Europe to take any action there, because of the highly complex situation. |
| He said the Russian S-300 system could be used offensively as well as defensively. With a range of around 125 to 185 miles, he said, its missiles could threaten civilian and military aircraft deep inside Israeli territory. | He said the Russian S-300 system could be used offensively as well as defensively. With a range of around 125 to 185 miles, he said, its missiles could threaten civilian and military aircraft deep inside Israeli territory. |
| There was no immediate official comment from Russia on the Assad interview, but state-run news outlets reported the details of the transcript of his interview. | There was no immediate official comment from Russia on the Assad interview, but state-run news outlets reported the details of the transcript of his interview. |
| A spokesman for Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who asked not to be identified in line with government policy, said, “This is an unhelpful decision by the Russians, supplying to a regime that has shown itself to be incapable of using its weapons systems proportionately or discriminatingly.” | A spokesman for Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who asked not to be identified in line with government policy, said, “This is an unhelpful decision by the Russians, supplying to a regime that has shown itself to be incapable of using its weapons systems proportionately or discriminatingly.” |
Reporting was contributed by Neil MacFarquhar from the United Nations, Isabel Kershner from Jerusalem, Steven Lee Myers and Michael R. Gordon from | Reporting was contributed by Neil MacFarquhar from the United Nations, Isabel Kershner from Jerusalem, Steven Lee Myers and Michael R. Gordon from Washington, Stephen Castle from London and Hala Droubi from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |