Peres Says Israel Aspires to Lasting Peace with Syria, Lebanon

Israeli President Shimon Peres has said the anti-government protests sweeping the Arab world that have toppled the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt are an "opportunity for peace" in the Middle East.

"We believe that the biggest guarantee of peace is having democracy in our neighbors. We are happy to witness this democratic revolution which is taking place in the Arab world," he said in an address to the Spanish parliament on Tuesday.

"We aspire to a lasting peace with all our neighbors, including Syria and Lebanon. I turn to Syria and ask that they do not become hostages to Iran. Iran is not seeking peace. Iran only brings terrorism and hate," Peres said.

The Israeli president said Monday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah would be overthrown by their own people.

He made the remark at the headquarters of the Jewish community in Spain.