Summary EU executive Monday expressed great concern following Israeli air strikes against Syrian targets.
SAN JOSE, / BRUSSELS (Agencies) - President Barack Obama says he won t comment on an Israeli airstrike against Syria that targeted a shipment of advanced missiles believed to be headed for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
Israeli officials on Saturday confirmed the strike, which took place early Friday.
Obama told the Spanish-language network Telemundo in an interview that he will defer to the Israeli government for comment. He also repeated his view that the Israelis justifiably have to guard against the transfer of advanced weapons to organizations like Hezbollah. The U.S. considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization.
Obama conducted the interview on Saturday, and a portion of the president s answer to a question about the airstrike was broadcast on MSNBC.
Meanwhile, the EU s executive on Monday expressed "great concern" following Israeli air strikes against Syrian targets and warned against an escalation of the conflict.
"We are looking with great concern at the recent developments in and around Syria," said ichael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, adding that they "risk dragging the region into expanding conflict".
"We call on all parties to avoid jeopardising what is already a fragile security situation," said Mann, who named no names but urged all sides to engage in the search for a political solution. "We want to avoid spillover effects," he added.
Israel is yet to officially confirm it struck Syrian targets in the Friday and Sunday strikes.
Damascus will respond to Israeli attacks but will "choose the moment" and may not do so immediately, a Syrian political official said Monday. The weekend raids killed at least 15 soldiers, a watchdog said as UN chief Ban Ki-moon led calls for restraint to prevent the war spilling over borders.
