Barak: Despite security challenges Israel strongest in ME

Outgoing Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that Israel faces great security challenges but that it is clearly the strongest power in the Middle East, Israel Radio reported. Barak was speaking in a parting address at the Knesset Foreign and Defense Committee. "There are very complex challenges ahead of us.  The Iran threat is not disapearing, Syria is crumbling before our eyes, and weapons transfers to Hezbollah can take place on any day." Despite these challenges Barak emphasized Israel's relative strength in the region saying, "Israel is clearly the strongest country in the Middle East," adding "we do not expect that there is a power in the region that can attack Israel with air forces and with armoured divisions."