The Syrian army is the strongest of any confronting Israel today, but has not made qualitative or quantitative advances in equipment or preparedness, according to the chief of military intelligence, Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak.
Shahak briefed military correspondents on the occasion of Intelligence Day being observed this week. He conceded that the Syrian army has begun to develop a reserve force and a system for mobilization. It continues to train its soldiers for combat.
Shahak also spoke of the Arab summit meeting that opened in Algiers Tuesday. He said the very fact it was convened to deal with the uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip was a victory for Palestine Liberation Organization chief Yasir Arafat.
He said Arafat was restored to the limelight after being snubbed at the Arab summit meeting held in Amman last November, which was hosted by King Hussein of Jordan.
But Shahak may have spoken prematurely. Reports from Algiers Thursday said the Arab leaders rebuffed the PLO by refusing to commit substantial new financial assistance to support the Arab uprising.
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