Jerusalem, Oct 11: Syria must take "full responsibility" if it continues to support terror organisations, an Israeli official charged here today hours after Damascus said it reserved the right to retaliate against external aggression. "We are not interested in an escalation but if Syria fails to take the necessary steps to stop attacks against US from its territory, it will bear the full responsibility," said a source at Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office on condition of anonymity. "Since the September 11 attacks (on the united states), everything has changed and no one can shelter terrorists," the source told a news agency, referring to Palestinian militant groups that Israel accuses Damascus of supporting.
"We welcome peace, but we reserve our right to self-defence," the official said, alluding to Israel's air strike on a suspected training camp for Palestinian militants in Syria on Sunday. The source spoke just hours after Damascus said it reserved the right to hit back.

"Syria reserves the right to retaliate by all means at its disposal," Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bushra Kanafani, told a news conference.


"The right to self defence is recognized by all states," he said.

Israel launched last week's air strike in the wake of a devastating suicide attack that killed 19 people as well as the bomber.

Bureau Report