The general, speaking to an air force academy graduation ceremony in Aleppo, 350 kilometres (215 miles) north of Damascus, urged the forces "to sacrifice all to defend the nation and national dignity."

His call, similar to one he made Thursday, came following fresh warnings to Damascus from Israel, which on October 5 launched an air strike near Damascus against an alleged Palestinian militant group training base.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Major General Amos Gilad, who heads the defense ministry's political department, threatened Syria with renewed "actions" if it did not put an end to what he charged was its continuous support for terrorist groups, Israeli public radio reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also Friday did not rule out fresh military action against Syria.

WAR.WIRE