Israel's defence minister says the downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad would be a "blessing for the Middle East."
Ehud Barak is also urging the world to increase pressure on Iran to give up activities that could be used to make nuclear arms.
Israeli leaders have mentioned the possibility of military attack on Iran, which is suspected of wanting to develop nuclear arms. But Barak declined to comment on that Sunday.
Instead he told the World Policy Conference in Vienna that there is still time for crippling world sanctions on Iran's energy sector and its leadership to force Tehran to give up nuclear programs that could be used to make such arms.
On Syria, he predicted Assad and his clique would be forced out of power within weeks.
Short link: