FM: Damascus will defend itself

Syrian FM says his country chose peace as a strategy but will respond to 'Israeli aggression'

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem said Thursday that his country has chosen peace as a strategic choice, but must remain alert in case of any act of aggression on Israel's part.

"Syria is ready to defense itself against any aggressiveness," he told European Union ambassadors during a dinner in Damascus, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat reported.

The newspaper said that Zionist regime and Syria have exchanged peaceful messages on the backdrop of recent reports of tension.

The Syrian minister added that Washington expected to pressure the EU to adapt itself to the American policy.