Dubai: Defiant Syrian regime yesterday said its territory will be “a graveyard of the invaders” as the US and its allies continue their preparation for an expected limited strike that could take place within days.
Syrians in Damascus were reportedly stocking up on food, bottled water and other essentials and bracing for bombing. But Syrian Prime Minister Wael Al Halqi told state television that his country “will surprise the aggressors as it surprised them during” the 1973 Arab Israeli War, in which Arab forces carried out a surprise attack on Israel, “and will be the graveyard of the invaders.”
The US and Britain however came under pressure to delay any military action after UN chief Ban Ki-moon said more time should be allowed for inspections in Damascus.
Ban said the inspectors would need four more days to carry out their site visits and then further time to analyse their findings.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov echoed Ban’s observations saying Security Council should wait for inspectors to present their report.
At the UN, envoys from Britain, China, France, Russia and the US started talks on a British drafted resolution to allow “all necessary measures to protect civilians,” which could mean military action.
International markets continued to plunge yesterday because of war worries and oil prices rose to $115 a barrel and analysts at Societe Generale said it was likely to rise towards $125 a barrel if the West launches air strikes against Syria and could go even higher if the conflict spills over into the rest of the Middle East.
Also, Israel ordered a small-scale mobilisation of reservists on Wednesday and strengthened its missile defences as precautions against possible Syrian attack .
