WASHINGTON (AFP)--U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on
Thursday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the risk
of sparking a regional war if he supplies long-range Scud missiles
to Lebanon's Hezbollah.
"Transferring weapons to these terrorists - especially
longer-range missiles - would pose a serious threat to the security
of Israel," Clinton said in prepared remarks to a pro-Israel
group.
"President Assad is making decisions that could mean war or
peace for the region," she warned.
She also urged Arab states to do more to support the
Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
"They should take specific steps that show Israelis,
Palestinians and their own people that peace is possible and that
there will be tangible benefits if it is achieved," Clinton
said.
She urged Arabs to "do more" to support the Palestinian
Authority budget and its two-year development plan, as well as
allow Israel to open or re-open trade offices in their countries or
fly its national airline over their territory.