Poll: Increasing Expectations of Middle East War

Local Editor

A poll conducted in Paris by the Arab-European Studies Center, revealed the increase of possibility of a Middle East war.

The center published a statement showing that 56.9% of those who took part in the poll, believe that what the US and "Israel" aim at for accusing Syria of smuggling Scud missiles to Hizbullah, is to prepare for the upcoming war in the region.

The expected war might include Syria, Gaza, and South Lebanon. The poll stated that war is expected to take place by early June, at the time when Arabs and the world are busy with The World Cup events.

On another hand, 30.9% considered threats as a kind of political blackmail, which is related to regional issues, such as Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian issue, and is an attempt to assuage the Syrian position, pushing it away from its alliance with Iran. The poll also mentioned the threats also aim at separating between the Arab Resistance and Syria, exerting permanent pressure on Syria for its position regarding the peace process.

As for 10.9%, they believed it was a US-"Israeli" attempt to distract attention from what is happening in Al Quds (Jerusalem), whether it was settlement building or turning the city into a Jewish state.

The center finalized its statement, saying that it was possible that such news which does not rely on any evidence, would pass by unnoticed, but it seems that it has come in a time where the US and "Israel" need such news to exaggerate, in order exploit it to achieve political goals.