Following are excerpts from an interview with Syrian Information Minister Muhsen Bilal, which aired on Al-Manar TV on May 11, 2006.
Muhsen Ballal: The liberation of the Golan is a comprehensive Arab-Syrian demand, made by 20 million Syrians, and the leadership must take this demand into consideration. The Golan must be returned to the motherland, and there is no alternative but to liberate the Golan.
Interviewer: Are you still relying on a peaceful settlement?
Muhsen Ballal: Until now, we have been waiting, and allowing a short period of time... We are allowing the peace process to have its last moment... If the peace process does not come back to life, if it is not resurrected once again, our people will have no alternative other than resistance in order to liberate and regain the land.