Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivers a speech in Damascus, August 15, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/AFP) Photo Gallery >>>

    DAMASCUS, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday told the opening session of a journalists conference that Israel's war on Lebanon was a "planned aggression".

    "The Israeli aggression against Lebanon was not connected with its kidnapped soldiers (by Hezbollah), but had been prearranged for a period of time," Assad said.

    He said the resistance in Lebanon had achieved victory, adding the people's support had helped the resistance achieve this victory.

    "We choose peace as a strategic choice, but it does not mean we exclude other choices and does not mean we have given up resistance," the president said.

    "Resistance is a strong force to face the Israeli aggression which is necessary to realize peace and restore rights," he added, dubbing resistance as "a thought which will play an essential role in the future."

    Assad, however, noted that resistance was "not necessarily an armed one", but could also be embodied in different forms such as in the cultural and political fields.

    Meanwhile, the president claimed the failure of the Middle East peace process, saying "the peace process has failed. It has failed since its inception" and "we do not expect peace in the near future."

    Assad blamed the current U.S. administration for the failure because it "chooses war, not peace".

    "For the peace process, the United State is necessary, but it should not be this administration," he said.

    Israel launched massive attacks in neighboring Lebanon on July 12 after two soldiers was kidnapped by the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah movement in cross-border raids.

    A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations took effect on Monday after the month-long war killed some 1,100 Lebanese people, mostly civilians, and about 156 Israelis.

    Washington has repeatedly blamed Damascus, together with its ally Tehran, for the bloodshed in Lebanon because of their support to Hezbollah.

    "Responsibility for the suffering of the Lebanese people also lies with Hezbollah's state sponsors, Iran and Syria," U.S. President George W. Bush said in his latest accusation on Monday. Enditem