Israel's raid on the Gaza aid ship has increased the chances of war in the Middle East, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told the BBC in comments published on Thursday. According to him, his country was working to prevent a regional war, but there was no chance of a peace deal with the current Israeli administration, which he described as a "pyromaniac government".
The Syrian leader said the Israeli attack on the Free Gaza flotilla that killed nine Turkish activists was having serious consequences. "[It has] destroyed any chance for peace in the near future," he was quoted .
"Mainly because it proved that this government is another pyromaniac government, and you cannot achieve peace with such [a] government."
