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Occupied Jerusalem/Washington: Israel boasted yesterday it has recovered its "deterrent capability" after an air strike in Syria triggered warnings of retaliation.
"The new situation affects the entire region, including Iran and Syria," military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin told parliament's powerful foreign affairs and defence committee, local media reported.
He said Israel had now recovered its "deterrent capability" following the last year's war against Hezbollah.
Syria yesterday angrily denied as US "lies" suggestions that it was receiving nuclear material from North Korea.
In Washington, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates yesterday said the United States would have a "real problem" if Syria and North Korea are collaborating on a nuclear programme.
Gates refused to confirm the veracity of leaked intelligence reports suggesting that North Korea may be helping Syria build a nuclear weapons facility. "But all I will say is we are watching the North Koreans very carefully. We watch the Syrians very carefully," he said on Fox News.
"If such an activity were taking place, it would be a matter of great concern because the president has put down a very strong marker with the North Koreans about further proliferation efforts and obviously any effort by the Syrians to pursue weapons of mass destruction would be a concern. "I think it would be a real problem," Gates said.
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