Netanyahu says Israel ready for any scenario in Syria

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the Jewish State was prepared for "every posssible scenario" in neighbouring Syria after US President Barack Obama postponed a threatened missile strike.

"Israel is calm and sure of itself, the citizens of Israel know that we are prepared for every possible scenario," he told ministers at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, in remarks broadcast on public radio.

Obama had promised to act against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons, but on Saturday announced that he would first seek endorsement from Congress, effectively pushing any military action back until at least September 9, when US lawmakers return from their summer recess.

Netanyahu sought to calm domestic fears that a US-led attack on Syria could prompt Assad or his Lebanese allies Hezbollah to retaliate against neighbouring Israel, Washington's key ally in the region.

"Our enemies have very good reasons not to try our strength, not to test our power," he said. "They know why."

Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres have both insisted that Israel is not involved in the bloody conflict in Syria, in which over 100,000 people have been killed, but will respond if attacked.