JERUSALEM, Sept 4: Israel will use full military force in any armed confrontation with Syria, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned MPs on Monday. “In case of a confrontation with Syria, we will lift all limits that we imposed on ourselves in Lebanon when it comes to using our force,” Mr Olmert was quoted as saying by the radio.

Mr Olmert made the remarks in an appearance before parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee.

“Any call for talks with Syria is fiction,” the prime minister also told the committee meeting.

Mr Olmert has ruled out any resumption of peace talks with Syria — stalled for the past six years — as long as Damascus ‘supports terrorism’.

Israel accuses the Syrian government of sponsoring ‘terrorism’ and of arming Hezbollah, which launched nearly 4,000 salvos into Israel killing 41 civilians during the Jewish state’s month-long invasion of Lebanon.

On Aug 24, Israel’s head of military intelligence, Amos Yadlin, warned against overconfidence in Syria, which could see Damascus try to recapture the Golan Heights, through military or political means.—AFP