Israel behind US foreign policy: Syria

Islam Times reports from Press TV: Condemning the US interference in Syria's internal affairs and Washington's double standards regarding the events unfolding in the Middle East, Muallem said on Wednesday that since the US foreign policy is based on Tel Aviv's interests, Washington's response to the countries critical of Israel is harsh and biased.

He said those who have practiced enmity against Syria during the crisis in the country will feel sorry at the end.

The Syrian foreign minister also warned the US and French ambassadors not to travel outside the capital without permission.

Muallem said if Washington and Paris' envoys defy the orders, the government will ban all diplomats from leaving Damascus.

Earlier this month, the US and French ambassadors separately visited the crisis-hit central city of Hama following rallies there to express support and solidarity with the protesters.

The visits drew sharp criticism from the Syrian government. Earlier, the Syrian foreign ministry summoned the two ambassadors to protest against their July 7 visits.

The Hama visit by US Ambassador Robert Ford and French Ambassador Eric Chevallier was a "clear evidence of the American and French intervention in Syria's internal affairs," Syria's news agency SANA quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

Muallem said Damascus has so far refrained from expelling the two ambassadors as a gesture to improve relations with Washington and Paris. The visits also sparked protests in front of the US and French embassies in Damascus.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March, with demonstrations held both against and in support of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Hundreds of people have been killed when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes between alleged protesters and state security forces as well as organized attacks by armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards north of the country.

While the opposition accuses security forces of being behind the killings, the government blames armed gangs for the deadly violence, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.