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Syrian Prez calls for terror against Israel

On September 10, Syrian president Bashar Assad met with representatives of the Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in Damascus, according to information reportedly passed to Army Radio from senior Palestinian sources.

"Syria is under siege. We are under international pressure. They`re hounding us because of what`s happening in Iraq and the investigation of the assassination of Rafik Hariri in Lebanon. Do what you must in the territories. Draw fire away from us," Assad was reported as saying.

Assad told the assembled members that he respected Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas`s leadership, but felt that the PA chairman`s support for negotiations was a mistake.