Syria says fully backs Hizbollah against Israel

DAMASCUS, July 15 (Reuters) Syria will support its allies Hizbollah and Lebanon against Israel's attacks on the country, the ruling Baath Party said.

''The Syrian people are ready to extend full support to the Lebanese people and their heroic resistance to remain steadfast and confront the barbaric Israeli aggression and its crimes,'' said a communique yesterday from the party's national command issued after a meeting.

The national command is the highest echelon of the Baath Party, which has ruled Syria since 1963.

''The meeting discussed the dangerous developments that resulted from escalation of the Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian land and Lebanon, and the barbaric war and state terrorism practiced by Israel,'' the communique said.

Syria is a main backer of Hizbollah, whose war of attrition was instrumental in forcing Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon in 2000 after a 22-year occupation.

REUTERS SRS BD0459