"If we'll be attacked we'll have no choice but to defend ourselves, and this is not a situation who hope for as it would just exact a cost from everyone," al-Zoubi told Lebanese al-Manar newspaper on Monday.

The minister added that "the West has no proof the Syria has used chemical weapons. If the US has such proof they should present it."

Al-Zoubi also said in another interview with Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen TV that the possibility of an American attack is very weak, warning that such a move would risk triggering more violence in the region.

"The basic repercussion would be a ball of fire that would burn not only Syria but the whole Middle East, an attack on Syria would be no easy trip."

Syrian government has been investigating reports of an alleged chemical attack in which the opposition claimed around 1,300 people were killed and the army was responsible for it. The Syrian government and army have strongly rejected the claims.

The unrest in Syria started in March 2011, when pro-reform protests turned into a massive insurgency following the intervention of Western and regional states.

NTJ/BA