‘World War III or not, Syria will retaliate’

Syria said it had taken “every measure” to retaliate if hit by a feared US-led military strike and would never give in, even if a third world war erupts.

Deputy foreign minister Faisal Muqdad also insisted that Russia had not wavered in its support, despite comments by President Vladimir Putin suggesting a more conciliatory tone towards the West.

“Syria has taken every measure to retaliate against . . . an aggression,” he said, although he refused to provide any clue as to what that might mean.

“The Syrian government will not change position even if there is World War III. No Syrian can sacrifice the independence of his country,” he added.

US president Barack Obama is busy trying to convince Congress to approve a strike against the Assad regime in retaliation for a suspected deadly poison gas attack on Aug 21 that Washington blames on Damascus.

The regime categorically denies any responsibility for the alleged attack in Damascus suburbs.

Muqdad stressed that Moscow had not wavered in its support of Damascus.

“The Russian position is unchanged; it’s a responsible position of a friend that is in favour of peace,” he said.

In later comments at a Kremlin meeting, Putin appeared to corroborate this, warning the US Congress that it would be legitimising an “aggression” if it gave its blessing to military action in a vote expected next week.

Washington says the alleged chemical weapons attack on Aug 21 killed more than 1,400 people.