Syria: We're ready for Peace or War

Syria's official newspaper Tishreen said Saturday that while Damascus is ready to make peace with Israel, it is also prepared for war.

Issuing fierce criticism of apparent threats from Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, a Tishreen editorial said, "The path to destruction could lead to the moment that Israel will comply with its leaders, who have villainy flowing through their veins."

"Whichever path Israel chooses, it will find Syria ready for either peace or war," the paper added, though it accused Israel of having " no real intention to go in the path of peace."

The editorial came two days after Jerusalem scaled back the rhetoric against Damascus, out of concern that a sudden, nasty war of words could spiral out of control and lead to disastrous, unintended consequences. On Thursday night, the government’s highest echelon sent out one message: Israel wants peace talks with Syria, not war.