Israel: U.S. discussed collapse of Assad gov't

Waving flags, supporters of the group Hezbollah hold up photos of Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, and Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, during a rally marking the sixth anniversary of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, in Beirut, July 18, 2012. Nasrallah condemned an attack that killed three Assad regime leaders in Damascus Wednesday, calling them "comrades" in the struggle against Israel. / AP Photo/Bilal Hussein

(AP) JERUSALEM - Israeli leaders have discussed with visiting American envoys how to manage a Syrian government collapse, an Israeli official said Monday, as Syria made an unprecedented admission of possessing weapons of mass destruction.

The reference to the chemical and biological weapons came in a threat to use them in case of a foreign attack. The open admission underlined Israel's concerns about the rapidly deteriorating regime of President Bashar Assad.

Israel and the U.S. are concerned that Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist militants should the regime in Damascus crumble. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday that his country would "have to act" if necessary to safeguard this arsenal from rogue poachers.

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Syria is believed to have nerve agents as well as mustard gas, Scud missiles capable of delivering these lethal chemicals and a variety of advanced conventional arms, including anti-tank rockets and late-model portable anti-aircraft missiles.

Asked if Israel and the U.S. had discussed managing a Syrian collapse, the Israeli government official said on Monday, "You can presume that these sorts of issues came up with American officials when they visited recently in Israel."

He gave no details and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the contents of confidential discussions with reporters.

U.S. National Security Adviser Tom Donilon and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Israel about a week ago, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is expected in Israel next week.

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[euge005]

as if we can or should manage anything in Syria. Obvious solution, disband the country and let the Turks next door who ran it for centuries re-establish their control. The Turks and a democracy and Nato member. I would trust them far more than say the US influence potentially under a Romney-corporate take over. We could let Arabs in Israel move there and end that problem. Then the Israelis living in occupied West bank would be moved out and back to Israel. End of that problem too.

[dmnnumberone]

"Instead of planning for a worse case scenario, why not help those displaced by the conflict? I am sure that they are affecting the resources of the nations helping them in a time of need. Who am I? once again, I'm the suffering servant finally girding his loins. The guy openly rebuking you, hoping you reap wisdom instead of thorns again..."

[earth5695]

USA gets paid by his Iranian Mullahs.

[usunus]

They have appointed a CIA approved Prime Minister ( a Libyan resident of the U.S and a businessman ) for the liberated Libya.They don't speak much about him now.Even the media is so discreet.Similar nomination can be made in Syria.

[euge005]

Well done, don't you agree?