YAHYA MAHMASSANI, ARAB LEAGUE’S AMBASSADOR TO THE UN: Thank you.

MARK DAVIS: For Israel to even contemplate bombing another state, they must have concluded there wouldn't be any effective response, either militarily or otherwise. It would seem they were right, there hasn't been much of a response, has there?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: Well, let's first start by saying that the Syrian Government has reacted wisely and prudently. Don't forget Syria is a member of the Security Council and if there is any dispute, it should be resolved through the Security Council in accordance with the charter, of course. But what Israel - the act of Israel by itself is an act of aggression in violation of the charter of the United Nations, of international law and of its obligation in the United Nations. What happened here is that the Israeli action should be condemned and strongly sanctioned by the Security Council of the UN because Israel is acting outside the law of the international community.

MARK DAVIS: With the response so far, is there anything that would deter Israel from striking Syria again, or for that matter, striking Lebanon or Iran, who've they've also listed as supporting Palestinian militants?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: Precisely the point is that Israel is a lawless country, it's an outlaw. Here we are, what kind of a world order are we going to have if you have one country choosing to strike any other country with impunity? Precisely why Syria did not respond, precisely why the Security Council should respond against Israeli aggression and show its responsibility. If Israel continue with this act, it will bring the whole Middle East into the brink of war, it will deteriorate an already deteriorating situation and the Arab people will be outraged and angered and I think the whole Middle East will blow up.

MARK DAVIS: Well, in much of the world, the terrorist threat may be something of a beat up, but it's certainly not a beat up for the Israelis, it's a daily reality. If they can get away with striking at an enemy training camp, whatever country it's in, why wouldn't they and indeed why shouldn't they?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: First of all, Israel should not strike against any other member of the United Nations. Actually this is under the charter article 2 paragraph 4. When Israel joined the United Nations, it had committed itself to fulfil its obligation under the charter. Now the second thing you're talking about. You're talking about terrorist camp in Syria. Do you have any proof? Do you have any evidence? Can you show me? This is all lies by the Israelis. It's lies because all the Israelis want to get out of the quagmire that they have turned upon themselves by occupying the Palestinian territories, now they are stuck there, they're trying to divert attention from their trouble inside Israel and also in the occupied territories. This is why they attacked Syria. I think this attack should be strongly condemned and Syria and the Security Council should send a strong message to the Israelis - enough is enough.

MARK DAVIS: Do you believe the United States had any foreknowledge of this attack?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: I don't know if they have foreknowledge of this. I have no information, this I cannot say. But I think at least they saw the result and I think the United States, as a responsible member of the Security Council, should also protect the charters and all its obligation under the charter. That's the Israeli obligation under the charter.

MARK DAVIS: If America supports this action as President Bush's statements seem to suggest, realistically, what can you now do to stop Israel?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: Again, you see, the highest authority, the highest authority in the world that is responsible for the maintenance of peace and security, law and order is the Security Council and the Security Council should react to this naked abhorrent aggression. I don't think that the Security Council can be indifferent to this situation, especially when one of its members, one of the members of the Security Council, is being attacked and being subjected to aggression. Now what the Security Council - of course, the Security Council can apply chapter 7, that's sanction the Israelis and take measures against the Israelis if they continue to act according to the lawless state of Israel.

MARK DAVIS: But the reality that you're facing is that Israel has little interest in the diplomatic rights and wrongs. Will any number of censure motions make any difference?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: Well, the reality of the matter is that either we have the law of the jungle and then every country can attack another country, or we can have an international order in accordance with international law. Which one do you want to choose? This is the reality. Either you want to live by the jungle, then everybody will will live by the jungle, and if not all goes well, neither for the United States, nor for Europe, not even for Australia, nor for the Middle East. Everybody then would be in a mess.

MARK DAVIS: A few years ago, an attack like this on Syrian soil would have been regarded as an act of war. Today the response has been mostly some fairly mild letters of protest. Is this a sign of the collapse of the military and political power of the Arab states as many people have been suggesting?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: It's not a question of the Arab states. Today the Arabs, tomorrow the Asians, then the Africans, then the Latin, and then even the European and God forbid, Australia. So let's keep this in mind - either we go - look, this charter of the United Nations came into being after two world wars that left so many people dead, so many destruction, and this is why this charter of the United Nations must be abided by and respected. Otherwise we go to the period of 1939 and what have you before and the whole world will pay another price. We must get it very clear. Every single nation must act within the authority of the Security Council and under the international law and the charter. If we're going to live by the jungle, then everybody is a loser, not only with the Arabs but everybody.

MARK DAVIS: Well, Colonel Gaddafi has just added his voice to those expressing doubts about the capacity of the Arab states. He's also just announced his intention to withdraw from the Arab League. Can you afford to lose countries like Libya?

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: Nobody is moving from the Arab League. This is the hypothetical question you're putting before us. Of course each member of the Arab League has its own reservations or something in a democratic atmosphere criticism. Nobody is immune. Look at the European community, look at the American organisation. Everybody has some comments but let me tell you, the 22 Arab states of the Arab League are still there and they're working together.

MARK DAVIS: Yahya Mahmassani thanks again for joining us.

YAHYA MAHMASSANI: Thank you.