Syria says war more likely after raid on Gaza flotilla

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said Israel's attack on the Gaza aid flotilla has increased the chances of war in the Middle East. 

In an interview with BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen, he said Syria was working to prevent a regional war.
But he added that there was no chance of a peace deal with the current Israeli administration, which he called a "pyromaniac government".
Mr Assad also rejected claims he was arming Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Mr Assad said last month's Israeli commando assault on the Free Gaza flotilla in international waters was having serious consequences.
The attack on ships attempting to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip killed nine Turkish activists.
Israel has set up an inquiry into the raid after rejecting a United Nations proposal for an international investigation.
"[The raid has] destroyed any chance for peace in the near future," Mr Assad said.
"Mainly because it proved that this government is another pyromaniac government, and you cannot achieve peace with such [a] government."
Mr Assad denied that he was sending weapons to the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006.
He said he was happy to do business with the United States, but insisted that Iran would remain an ally.