Syria, West must avoid showdown

Reasonably enough, Assad has reiterated that Syria is committed to cooperation with the UN in its inquiry into the killing of former prime minister Rafik Al Hariri. However, Assad has made it clear that Damascus will not tolerate any attempts to undermine the sovereignty of the country. Which makes eminent sense. No self-respecting country, even the much-demonised regimes in the Middle East, would accept any challenges to their integrity. Clearly, while Syria is keen to avoid a confrontation with the West and is trying its best to cooperate with the UN probe, it doesn't want to go on its knees to appease the West. The world community would do well to appreciate the delicate position of the regime and the extent to which it can be pushed. The Baathist regime is no paragon of virtues. But there's a growing feeling in the Muslim world that Syria is being systematically cornered a la Iraq. Syria and West must settle this business peacefully and soon.